New to theaters: Singer Lady Gaga makes her film debut in ‘A Star is Born’
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) are both making their own debuts when the film “A Star Is Born” opens in theaters this weekend.
This will be the first film that Cooper has directed and this is also the first film that Lady Gaga has ever starred in.
But bringing their two “firsts” together, might just land them on top, with the film already getting great reviews after its premieres at the Venice Film Festival on Aug. 31 and the Toronto International Film Festival last month.
Besides directing, Cooper also takes on the lead role of seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers, and falls in love with, struggling artist Ally (Gaga).
She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
“Their chemistry is undeniable, their duets infectious and moving the action into the contemporary music scene, where Ally is rapidly reconfigured as a sequin-studded red head flanked by unnecessary dancers, strikes a long line of emotional notes,” said Top Critic Kate Taylor with the “Globe and Mail.”
This is the fourth remake of “A Star Is Born.”
In 1932, George Cukor directed “What Price Hollywood,” and in 1954, the film was remade with Cukor directing Judy Garland and James Mason, who played the lead characters.
Garland and Mason each took home a Golden Globe for Best Actress and Actor in a Comedy or Musical.
Probably the most memorable version to date was the 1976 version, with the leads played by Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.
This version was the second highest grossing film at the time and won Streisand two Golden Globes — one for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) and another for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture (with Paul Williams), along with an Oscar for Best Music and Original Song.
Kristofferson also won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical).
Even with all of the awards, the 1976 version has a dismal 31 percent Tomatometer score on the popular movie review website Rotten Tomatoes.
On the other hand, the newest version with Cooper and Gaga has a “certified fresh” rating of 95 percent with a critic’s consensus stating, “With appealing leads, deft direction and an affecting love story, “A Star Is Born,” is a remake done right and a reminder that some stories can be just as effective in the retelling.”
This film is rated R for language throughout and some sexuality/nudity and substance abuse.
This movie will be going up against comic book icon, “Venom,” directed by Ruben Fleischer and starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Marcella Bragio and Woody Harrelson.
Which one grabs the number one spot for the weekend is anyone’s guess.