Gaga and Cooper Shine Bright Like Diamonds in A Star is Born| TIFF 18

Every artist at one point or another has been told why they won’t succeed.  Sometimes it’s attributed to physicality, representation, or simple discrepancy of what lane the talent should thrive and pursue for the log haul.  A Star is Born is one of those films that ignites and solidifies the belief of yourself, others and how love can either lift you up or destroy along this thing we call life.

In what is easily one of the most anticipated releases of 2018, A Star Is Born is perfection.  Bradley Cooper (Jack Maine) in his directorial debut does this franchise right sprinkling bits and pieces of various versions, yet maintaining its own identity. And if he didn’t have enough to do with acting and directing, Cooper also co-wrote the screenplay and score (along with Lady Gaga), produced and performed alongside and apart from his leading lady in this masterful adaptation.  Cooper sings his face off while holding his own with his award-winning star.

Lady Gaga (Ally) is truly an entertainment anomaly.  Literally, other than the late Aretha Franklin have I witnessed a vocal artist that is damn near perfect at every genre of entertainment she attacks.  If you were on the fence about her star status before now, trust me when I tell you, Gaga will let you have it and solidify any doubts within the first ten minutes of the film as she belts out ‘La Vie En Rose.’  Honestly, I can’t find enough adjectives in the English language to describe how very gifted and special this young lady is.  How lucky are we to witness her brilliance in such a spectacular screen debut.

Spanning a film career of 50 years, Sam Elliott (Bobby) gives a vulnerable, heartbreaking performance in the shadows of his superstar brother only to be treated like a footnote when things get rough.  The scene where they see each other for the last time will leave a perpetual lump in your throat.

Andrew Dice Clay is turning out to be quite the impressive character actor as Ally’s Dad Lorenzo.  Other notable performances from Hamilton’s Anthony Ramos, Dave Chapelle, Michael Harney

The soundtrack, which is its own separate character, is amazing and the extraordinary weaving and bobbing of the cinematography is beautifully creative.  Having Jack discover Ally in a drag bar performing with D.J. ‘Shangela’ Pierce as the ‘Mistress of Ceremonies” gave me life!

Produced by Warner Brothers Pictures, MGM and Live Nation Productions, A Star is Born hits theatres on October 5th and will be an experience you are not likely to forget for quite some time.