This version of A Star Is Born, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, is the fourth iteration (Janet Gaynor and Frederic March, 1937; Judy Garland and James Mason, 1954; Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, 1976). So it’s a remake of a remake of a remake and overly familiar, you would think. Oh God, not another fella who can’t take it when her career eclipses his, boo hoo. Would a reboot with the genders flipped but the age gap preserved ever get made? Not a hope, is the short answer. But, but, but… I did cry, and Lady Gaga is truly sensational, fabulous, a revelation. I had no idea. Cooper directs, and also co-wrote, but it is her film, and one must hope that he can suck that up. Bradley, don’t go and do anything stupid, you hear?
This remake of a remake of a remake opens with Jackson Maine (Cooper) on stage and performing to a mighty, swaying, adoring crowd as he plays guitar and sings.
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