A labour of love

Navnee Likhi

American actor-filmmaker Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut A Star is Born is believed to be based, in parts, on the life and spectacular rise of singer Lady Gaga to stardom. The film is a remake of a 1937 movie of the same name. The story centres round an established country singer and songwriter Jackson Maine (played by Bradley Cooper) who is in love with a struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). It’s a touching story of two lovers and how their relationship hits a rough patch. 

The film opens with Jackson downing a couple of pills and a drink before he gets ready to perform at a concert. There are loud screams from his fans in the packed stadium as Jackson begins singing in deep southern tone on one of his hit songs. He is in his forties and is addicted to alcohol. Jackson is facing a grey zone in his career. But he still has a huge fan following. His old country hit songs have become classics. Meanwhile, young Ally, who lives with her Italian father, is struggling to make both ends meet. She works as a waitress during the day and sings in a bar at night. After performing at a concert, Jackson gets into his car and stops at his favourite bar where he spots Ally singing a French song. Her voice leaves Jackson awestruck. After the show is over, Ally’s friend Ramon takes Jackson backstage where he meets Ally, who is  wearing a heavy makeup. He asks her out for a drink and gently pulls off her false eyelashes. Ally says to him, “Every single person has liked the way I sound and not the way I look”.

As they begin to date each other, Jackson draws Ally out of her shell. She is swayed by him, especially when he sends his car and private jet to fetch her to one of his concerts. When she reaches the venue, Jackson asks her to join him on stage and sing a duet with him. Together they sing a song called Shallow, “We are far from shallow now.” Ally’s voice blends well with Jackson’s. A video of their duet at another concert goes viral and Ally is noticed as a star.

Jackson becomes Ally’s mentor. Soon she is approached by music composer Rez, who has plans to groom her for solo performances. He gives her a mushy makeover of a 21st century pop artiste. Ally gives a knockout performance at a late night TV show. She collaborates with various bands to experiment with fashion and singing. This creates a wedge between her and Jackson, who is resentful of her pop style of singing.

Ally wants stardom on her terms, and not his. During this time Jackson thinks about his signature song he had written and sung long ago, “Maybe it’s time to let old ways die”.

Ally lends support to him when Jackson’s brother Bobby, a talented musician who had given up his dream to manage Jackson’s career, splits with him. She gives him his space but refuses to stand by him when he drinks. In a couple of scenes, Jackson taunts Ally by calling her ugly. Their relationship is tender, full of anger and sadness, but they don’t break up. The two talented persons — one a rising star and the other a fading star — are trapped in a love as true as it is torn. 

The songs composed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga have catchy lyrics. Cinematographer Mathew lends a rich look to his work. The screenplay by Eric Roth and Will Fetters delivers the story with conviction. The story of the film is neither overblown nor goes over the top.

The well-executed film depicts the ups and downs that accompany a celebrity’s lifestyle and the pressure they face to sustain themselves. Lady Gaga, in the role of Ally, lends freshness to the character. Bradley Cooper gets easily into the skin of a hard-drinking country singer Jackson Maine.