A STAR IS BORN
manages to rise above the nigh-unavoidable clichés of the music drama genre through the sheer, undeniable force of Bradley Cooper’s love of his craft. Were this not already the third remake of the 1937 film, the potential cinematic pitfalls, but instead we’re given a deeply felt and surprisingly original update driven primarily by the raw, unrestrained performances of the two lead actors. Their complicated, beautifully explored relationship forms both the heart and backbone of the movie. Plentiful dialogue-centric scenes give these memorable characters a chance to shine, and the many songs in a variety of styles are quite enjoyable.
