Blog Post
'A Star Is Born' film review
- By atmnl
- •
- 11 Oct, 2018
- •
IMDB overview: A musician helps a young singer and actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral. (R)
Main cast: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott
Release date: October 10, 2018
Running time: 2h 16mins
Main cast: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott
Release date: October 10, 2018
Running time: 2h 16mins
Lady Gaga's film debut and Bradley Cooper's directorial debut - this film is sure to grip you in ways you never thought it would.
The review:
You've probably heard that this is the perfect film to watch to unwind after a long week at work, but we would recommend you to have at least some rest before you see it. Why? This film will take you on a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish and it might be incredibly stressful if you're already stressed from work. (Just a tip!)
Jackson Maine, Bradley's character, is a famous musician who's been facing problem alcoholism even from the beginning of the film. That's also around the time we meet Ally, Lady Gaga's character, who's a struggling artist. They meet at a local club and from there the connection between them has been basically cemented.
These two characters navigate the world of fame and personal relationships separately and together. They're not codependent to the point that you'll see everything revolves around the other person. There are times they'll battle their issues with themselves, but they're also battling it together and that makes them a force to be reckoned with. They have sweet exchanges and arguments that you'll easily find yourself loving the idea of them together.
Ally deals with the pressures and the surprises brought to her by fame, while Jack's character deals with alcoholism and mental illness. We'll see how each of their struggles take tolls on their relationship and throughout the whole movie you'll keep waiting for the answer - Will their relationship make it? What will happen to their individual careers?
You'll feel various magnitude of stress throughout the film and it would be a safe assumption to say that you'll cry at one point or another - trust us, this is what exactly happened when we watched it.
It's so easy to relate to both of their characters and at the end of it all, you'll learn to value the relationships, the opportunities, and basically everything that's come your way - because that makes you who you are.
You've probably heard that this is the perfect film to watch to unwind after a long week at work, but we would recommend you to have at least some rest before you see it. Why? This film will take you on a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish and it might be incredibly stressful if you're already stressed from work. (Just a tip!)
Jackson Maine, Bradley's character, is a famous musician who's been facing problem alcoholism even from the beginning of the film. That's also around the time we meet Ally, Lady Gaga's character, who's a struggling artist. They meet at a local club and from there the connection between them has been basically cemented.
These two characters navigate the world of fame and personal relationships separately and together. They're not codependent to the point that you'll see everything revolves around the other person. There are times they'll battle their issues with themselves, but they're also battling it together and that makes them a force to be reckoned with. They have sweet exchanges and arguments that you'll easily find yourself loving the idea of them together.
Ally deals with the pressures and the surprises brought to her by fame, while Jack's character deals with alcoholism and mental illness. We'll see how each of their struggles take tolls on their relationship and throughout the whole movie you'll keep waiting for the answer - Will their relationship make it? What will happen to their individual careers?
You'll feel various magnitude of stress throughout the film and it would be a safe assumption to say that you'll cry at one point or another - trust us, this is what exactly happened when we watched it.
It's so easy to relate to both of their characters and at the end of it all, you'll learn to value the relationships, the opportunities, and basically everything that's come your way - because that makes you who you are.
Storytelling: 5/5
The establishment of the story was very well done because it delves into it immediately - it doesn't make you wait with fancy scenes and irrelevant dialogue. That's probably one of the things we love the most about it - how it shows the rawness of life, music, and love. But besides that, what we loved most about this is how it talks about mental illness and how it affects the person who has it and the people around them.
Some films these days try to tackle the issue of mental health and addiction but some get it wrong because of misinterpretation and misrepresentation. However, in A Star Is Born you'll see how the characters deal with it, and you'll just hope with all your might that things are okay in the end.
Actors and characters: 5/5
From the very first scene up to the very end, you'll see how both Jack and Ally's characters feel the toll of the things happening in their lives. We get two characters who are different but alike in so many ways - Ally is new to the industry, while Jack has had experience with all of it. Ally has to deal with the challenges of her passion for music, and Jack has to navigate through his life and his struggles with addiction.
We get to see how much Ally loves her craft and how all those possibilities seem big to the person who never thought it would all come true. On the other hand, we witness how serious Jack's problem is with addiction and mental illness. From the start we see how much pain he's in, and it's just so easy to love both of them and root for their relationships.
Cinematography: 5/5
We don't claim to be experts at this field but there were lots of scenes that were incredibly striking. There were establishing parts in the beginning where you wonder where the story and the scene is leading you, and it makes more sense are the film progresses. There's not a part that feels lost or a part that'll make you feel like it's just filler. Each and every scene was very relevant to the overall story.
What stood up most is one part towards the end. (Don't worry, we won't spoil you!) The short scene with the closed garage and the door outside - that's the most powerful part of the film. There were lots of scenes that got to us, but that bit was when most of the emotions poured out of us until the very last scene. (Go see the film so we can talk about it!)
Score and soundtrack: 5/5
Yes, you've seen Bradley Cooper act. Not only is he pleasing to the eyes, he's also magnificent at what he does. And we all already know how amazing Lady Gaga is at her craft. This woman with her microphone is something that will always pull us out of our heads after being stuck in it. Seeing them together is something new and unexpected but their voices are powerful and the songs always have us on the edge of our seats!
Whatever your favorite genre would be, we assure you this will be a treat for you. At least one or two songs will tug on your heartstrings or make you cry, and we're a hundred percent positive you'll look for the soundtrack as soon as you leave the cinemas!
We've got you. Here's the official soundtrack from Spotify, complete with every song from the film:
The establishment of the story was very well done because it delves into it immediately - it doesn't make you wait with fancy scenes and irrelevant dialogue. That's probably one of the things we love the most about it - how it shows the rawness of life, music, and love. But besides that, what we loved most about this is how it talks about mental illness and how it affects the person who has it and the people around them.
Some films these days try to tackle the issue of mental health and addiction but some get it wrong because of misinterpretation and misrepresentation. However, in A Star Is Born you'll see how the characters deal with it, and you'll just hope with all your might that things are okay in the end.
Actors and characters: 5/5
From the very first scene up to the very end, you'll see how both Jack and Ally's characters feel the toll of the things happening in their lives. We get two characters who are different but alike in so many ways - Ally is new to the industry, while Jack has had experience with all of it. Ally has to deal with the challenges of her passion for music, and Jack has to navigate through his life and his struggles with addiction.
We get to see how much Ally loves her craft and how all those possibilities seem big to the person who never thought it would all come true. On the other hand, we witness how serious Jack's problem is with addiction and mental illness. From the start we see how much pain he's in, and it's just so easy to love both of them and root for their relationships.
Cinematography: 5/5
We don't claim to be experts at this field but there were lots of scenes that were incredibly striking. There were establishing parts in the beginning where you wonder where the story and the scene is leading you, and it makes more sense are the film progresses. There's not a part that feels lost or a part that'll make you feel like it's just filler. Each and every scene was very relevant to the overall story.
What stood up most is one part towards the end. (Don't worry, we won't spoil you!) The short scene with the closed garage and the door outside - that's the most powerful part of the film. There were lots of scenes that got to us, but that bit was when most of the emotions poured out of us until the very last scene. (Go see the film so we can talk about it!)
Score and soundtrack: 5/5
Yes, you've seen Bradley Cooper act. Not only is he pleasing to the eyes, he's also magnificent at what he does. And we all already know how amazing Lady Gaga is at her craft. This woman with her microphone is something that will always pull us out of our heads after being stuck in it. Seeing them together is something new and unexpected but their voices are powerful and the songs always have us on the edge of our seats!
Whatever your favorite genre would be, we assure you this will be a treat for you. At least one or two songs will tug on your heartstrings or make you cry, and we're a hundred percent positive you'll look for the soundtrack as soon as you leave the cinemas!
We've got you. Here's the official soundtrack from Spotify, complete with every song from the film:
Buuut if you want just the songs minus the dialogue, here's what you can go for!
Overall atmnl rating: 5/5
Bradley Cooper did incredibly well for his directorial debut, and he had the amazing cast to prove it. Besides that, he and Lady Gaga did so amazing that we're still awestruck after watching it! We feel raw but at the end of it all, we're honored to have witnessed such masterpiece. It's very much worth the watch and every cent you'll spend on it!
Go see it in theaters this weekend! Although you might be unable to bring kids to this film because of it's rating but we're sure you'll enjoy this whether you go with your special someone, your family, friends, or even if you'll just see it alone! It'll inspire you and make you feel so nostalgic to the point that you won't shut up about it.
A Star Is Born is currently showing in Philippine theaters nationwide. Here's the official film trailer:
Bradley Cooper did incredibly well for his directorial debut, and he had the amazing cast to prove it. Besides that, he and Lady Gaga did so amazing that we're still awestruck after watching it! We feel raw but at the end of it all, we're honored to have witnessed such masterpiece. It's very much worth the watch and every cent you'll spend on it!
Go see it in theaters this weekend! Although you might be unable to bring kids to this film because of it's rating but we're sure you'll enjoy this whether you go with your special someone, your family, friends, or even if you'll just see it alone! It'll inspire you and make you feel so nostalgic to the point that you won't shut up about it.
A Star Is Born is currently showing in Philippine theaters nationwide. Here's the official film trailer:
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