Jump to content

A Star Is Born (2018 film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Yankhill (talk | contribs) at 21:07, 7 October 2018 (→Cast). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

A Star Is Born
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBradley Cooper
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMatthew Libatique[1]
Edited byJay Cassidy[1]
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures[3]
Release dates
  • August 31, 2018 (2018-08-31) (Venice)
  • October 5, 2018 (2018-10-05) (United States)
Running time
135 minutes[4]
CountryUnited States
Budget$36 million[5]
Box office$56.6 million[6]

A Star Is Born is a 2018 American musical romantic drama film produced and directed by Bradley Cooper, in his directorial debut. Cooper wrote the screenplay with Eric Roth and Will Fetters. A remake of the 1937 film of the same name, it stars Cooper, Lady Gaga, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle, and Sam Elliott, and follows a hard-drinking musician (Cooper) who discovers and falls in love with a young singer (Gaga). It marks the third remake of the original 1937 film (which featured Janet Gaynor and Fredric March), which was adapted into a 1954 musical (starring Judy Garland and James Mason) and then remade as a 1976 rock musical with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

Talks of a third A Star Is Born remake began in 2011 with Clint Eastwood attached to direct and Beyoncé set to star. The film languished in development hell for several years with various actors approached to co-star, including Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, and Tom Cruise. In March 2016, Cooper signed on to star and direct, and Lady Gaga joined the cast in August 2016. Principal photography began at the Coachella music festival in April 2017.

A Star Is Born premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2018, and was released in the United States on October 5, 2018, by Warner Bros. The film received critical acclaim, with praise for Cooper and Gaga's performances, Cooper's direction, the cinematography, and the music.

Plot

Jackson Maine performs at sold out concerts while exhibiting a drinking problem which he hides from the public ("Black Eyes"). His main support and manager is his significantly older brother Bobby who looks after him. Ally is a young singer-songwriter in her own right who works as a waitress with her friend Ramon, while also moonlighting as a singer at a drag bar. After a show, Jackson arrives at the bar so that he can drink and witnesses Ally's singing firsthand ("La Vie en rose"). Amazed by her talent, they have a drink together and Ally reveals that she has never pursued a professional career due to being told that she has a big nose, something Jackson admits that he finds attractive and they share songs together.

He drops her off at her home where she lives with her widower father Lorenzo who runs a driving service with his friends. Jackson asks Ally to come to his show tonight, but she refuses even when Lorenzo insists that she go. She eventually changes her mind and takes Ramon with her where Jackson asks Ally to sing on stage with him. After some hesitation, she relents and is praised on social media ("Shallow").

Jackson has Ally perform at several concerts with him and they slowly begin to form a relationship ("Maybe It's Time"). After Jackson passes out drunk, Bobby tells Ally that she needs to be careful around him. Jackson takes Ally to see a farm that he bought for Bobby and where their father is buried, but discovers that Bobby sold the land and that their father's body was washed away in a storm. Angered at his betrayal, Jackson punches Bobby who quits being his manager soon afterwards.

After one show ("Always Remember Us This Way"), Ally meets Rez, a record producer who offers her a contract. While visibly bothered by it, Jackson supports her decision anyway. Jackson helps Ally get through the trials of her new position and she buys a house for the two to stay in. While performing at one of her concerts, Rez berates her for canceling her dancers and suggests that she dye her hair which she dislikes ("Heal Me"). Jackson, who was supposed to see her perform, passes out drunk in the middle of town and is helped up by his childhood friend Noodles who allows him to temporarily stay at his home. Ally arrives and the two make up. Afterwards, Jackson proposes to Ally with a small guitar string loop and they get married immediately that day.

While Ally is performing on Saturday Night Live ("Why Did You Do That?"), Bobby arrives and reconciles with Jackson. Later, Jackson voices his disapproval of Ally's new provocative song which she was nominated for. When he calls her ugly, they have a falling out though they soon try to put the issue behind them. Jackson performs at the Grammy Awards for a Roy Orbison tribute and it becomes apparent that he is intoxicated. Ally wins a Grammy for Best New Artist, and when she goes up on stage to receive her reward, Jackson is brought on stage as well, but he passes out, humiliating himself. Lorenzo takes Jackson backstage and berates him and puts him in the shower to sober up. Jackson then joins a rehabilitation program.

Ally visits Jackson in rehab, and he tearfully apologizes for his behavior and returns home sober. Rez visits and privately tells Jackson that he will eventually ruin Ally's life due to his history even if Ally remains the more stable one. She explains to Jackson that she is going to cancel her concert tour early so that they can have the summer all to themselves. As she leaves, Jackson states that he will come to her last concert. As she is performing, Jackson is about to leave, but instead he begins taking pills. He goes into the garage with his belt off and hangs himself.

Ally becomes almost inconsolable despite Lorenzo and Ramon's attempts to help her. Eventually, Bobby explains that Jackson's death was his own fault and not hers. Ally takes a song that Jackson had written but never performed and decides to sing it at his funeral, where she identifies herself as Ally Maine ("I'll Never Love Again").

Cast

Additionally, Rebecca Field portrays Gail, while Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real appear as Jackson's band. Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Willam Belli, Greg Grunberg, Ron Rifkin, Halsey and Alec Baldwin also cameo in the film.[7]

Production

Development

In January 2011, it was announced that Clint Eastwood was in talks to direct Beyoncé in a third remake of the 1937 film A Star Is Born;[8] however, the project was delayed due to Beyoncé's pregnancy. In April 2012, writer Will Fetters told Collider that the script was inspired by Kurt Cobain.[9] Talks with Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and Will Smith to play the male lead failed to come to fruition. On October 9, 2012, Beyoncé left the project, and it was reported that Bradley Cooper was in talks to star. Eastwood was interested in Esperanza Spalding to play the female role.[10]

On March 24, 2015, Warner Bros. announced that Cooper was in final talks to make his directorial debut with the film, and potentially to star with Beyoncé, who was in talks to rejoin;[11] Cooper did become the male lead.[12][13][14] On August 16, 2016, it was reported that Lady Gaga had been officially attached and the studio had green-lit the project to begin production early 2017.[15] On November 9, 2016, it was reported that Ray Liotta was in talks to join the film in the role of the manager to Lady Gaga's character,[16] but it was announced on March 17, 2017, that role had gone to Sam Elliott,[17] with Andrew Dice Clay entering negotiations to play Lorenzo, the father of Lady Gaga's character.[18] Clay was selected over Robert De Niro, John Turturro and John Travolta.[19] In April 2017, Rafi Gavron, Michael Harney, and Rebecca Field joined the cast.[20]

Filming began on April 17, 2017.[1] In May, Dave Chappelle was cast in the film.[21] In April 2018, it was announced that Halsey had joined the cast.[22]

Music

Main article: A Star Is Born (2018 soundtrack)

After seeing him perform at Desert Trip festival, Cooper approached Lukas Nelson (son of country music singer Willie Nelson) and asked him to help work on the film. Nelson agreed and wrote several songs, which he sent to the producers.[23] Nelson subsequently met Lady Gaga and began writing songs with her and she, in turn, provided backing vocals on two tracks on his self-titled 2017 album.[24] The soundtrack, performed by Gaga and Cooper, was released on October 5, 2018, by Interscope Records who announced that the album "features 19 songs in a wide range of musical styles + 15 dialogue tracks that will take you on a journey that mirrors the experience of seeing the film."[25]

Release

A Star Is Born had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 31, 2018.[26][27] It will also screen at the Toronto International Film Festival[28], the San Sebastián International Film Festival, and the Zurich Film Festival in September 2018.[29][30] The film was released in the United States on October 5, 2018,[31] by Warner Bros. Pictures, after initially being set for the September 28, 2018, and May 18, 2018, releases.[32][33]

Reception

Box office

As of October 7, 2018, A Star Is Born has grossed $42.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $14 million in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $56.6 million.[6]

In the United States and Canada, A Star Is Born grossed $3.2 million from Thursday night previews, as well as an additional $1.35 million from select Tuesday and Wednesday night screenings, and $15.8 million on its first day. It went on to debut to $41.2 million, finishing second at the box office behind fellow newcomer Venom.[34]

Outside North America, the film was released day-and-date with the U.S. in 31 other countries, and made $14 million in its opening weekend; its largest markets were the United Kingdom ($5.3 million), France ($2.1 million) and Germany ($1.9 million).[35]

Critical response

The performances and chemistry of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, as well as Cooper's direction, garnered widespread critical acclaim.[36][37]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, A Star Is Born holds an approval rating of 91% based on 267 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "With appealing leads, deft direction, and an affecting love story, A Star Is Born is a remake done right—and a reminder that some stories can be just as effective in the retelling."[38] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 88 out of 100, based on 59 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[39] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it a 90% positive score.[34]

Alonso Duralde of TheWrap gave the film a positive review, saying, "Cooper and Lady Gaga are dynamite together; this is a story that lives and dies by the central relationship and the instant chemistry that must blossom between them, and these two have it in spades" and praised the musical numbers, describing them as "electrifying".[40] Owen Gleiberman of Variety lauded Cooper's directing, writing and acting and called the film "a transcendent Hollywood movie".[41] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B+, singling out Gaga's performance, saying, "she deserves praise for her restrained, human-scale performance as a singer whose real-girl vulnerability feels miles away from the glittery meat-dress delirium of her own stage persona."[36] Stephanie Zacharek of Time magazine found the film superior to its previous iterations and similarly praised Cooper's direction, writing as well the performances and chemistry of Cooper and Gaga in which she stated: "You come away feeling something for these people, flawed individuals who are trying to hold their cracked pieces of self together–or to mend the cracks of those they love." She also described Gaga's performance as a "knockout".[42]

In his review for Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang describes the film as "remarkable" in which he praised Cooper in his fresh take on a well-worn formula of 1937 film as well his direction, while commending the performances, writing, and the cinematography.[37] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film 4.5 out of five stars in which he deemed it as a "modern classic" and hailed the performances of Cooper and Gaga and Cooper's direction, while finding the film's screenplay and the original songs as "seamless" and "terrific". He also called the film as a major Oscar contender of the year and one of the year's best films.[43] The Washington Post's Ann Hornaday described the film as "lavishly delightful" and "earthly convincing", and added that the film "offers a suitably jaundiced glimpse of starmaking machinery at its most cynical, but also its most thrilling and gratifying" while similarly praising Cooper's direction, the performances and chemistry of Cooper and Gaga as well the supporting performances (particularly Andrew Dice Clay and Sam Elliott).[44]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Perry, Spencer (April 17, 2017). "First Look at Lady Gaga in A Star is Born Remake". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved April 18, 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  2. ^ "A Star Is Born trailer with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga". Film-news.co.uk. June 7, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  3. ^ "Film releases". Variety Insight. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "A Star is Born". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  5. ^ Kilday, Gregg (August 22, 2018). "How 'A Star Is Born' Re-created the "Man's World" of Music, Coachella Concert Scenes". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "A Star Is Born (2018)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  7. ^ Rooney, David (August 31, 2018). "'A Star is Born': Film Review Venice 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  8. ^ Magrath, Andrea (January 21, 2011). "A Star Is Born... again: Clint Eastwood in talks to direct Beyonce in yet another remake of Hollywood classic". Daily Mail. London. Archived from the original on January 22, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Chitwood, Adam (April 1, 2012). "Screenwriter Will Fetters Talks Clint Eastwood's A STAR IS BORN; Says Script Was Inspired by Kurt Cobain". Collider.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 9, 2012). "Beyonce exits Eastwood's 'A Star Is Born' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  11. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (March 24, 2015). "Bradley Cooper To Make Directing Debut, Hopes To Star With Beyonce In 'A Star Is Born' For Warner Bros". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  12. ^ Bart, Peter; Fleming Jr, Mike (May 2, 2016). "Bart & Fleming: Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga Road Test 'A Star Is Born' Team-Up". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  13. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (June 16, 2016). "Lady Gaga Looking Like A Strong Match With Bradley Cooper In 'A Star Is Born'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  14. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 16, 2016). "Lady Gaga Joins Bradley Cooper's 'A Star Is Born' Remake". Variety. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  15. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (August 16, 2016). "'A Star Is Born' Gets Warner Bros Green Light; Bradley Cooper Directs, Stars With Lady Gaga". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Galuppo, Mia (November 9, 2016). "Ray Liotta in Talks to Join Lady Gaga in 'A Star Is Born' Remake". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  17. ^ Busch, Anita (March 17, 2017). "Sam Elliott Joins Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga In 'A Star Is Born'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  18. ^ Busch, Anita (March 23, 2017). "Andrew Dice Clay In Negotiations To Join 'A Star Is Born' In Key Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  19. ^ Andrew Dice Clay Says He Beat Robert De Niro, John Travolta for ‘A Star Is Born’ Role
  20. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 28, 2017). "'A Star Is Born' Adds Rafi Gavron & Michael Harney". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  21. ^ Hipes, Patrick (May 5, 2017). "Dave Chappelle Joins 'A Star Is Born' Redo". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  22. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (April 26, 2018). "Sony Pictures Makes Deal With Halsey For Movie Inspired By Singer's Life". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  23. ^ Finn, Timothy (February 2, 2018). "He's worked with Neil Young, Gaga and his dad, Willie Nelson. Now he's coming to KC". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  24. ^ Stephens, Samantha (September 18, 2017). "How Lady Gaga Brought Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real's "Find Yourself" to Life". CMT. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  25. ^ @Interscope (August 30, 2018). "#AStarIsBornSoundtrack features 19 songs in a wide range of musical styles + 15 dialogue tracks that will take you on a journey that mirrors the experience of seeing the film" (Tweet). Retrieved August 30, 2018 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Chu, Henry (July 23, 2018). "'A Star Is Born' to World Premiere at Venice Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  27. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy; Hammond, Pete. "Bradley Cooper's 'A Star Is Born' Headed To Venice After 1st Hollywood Screening Impresses Exhibitors – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  28. ^ Orlova-Alvarez, Tamara; Alvarez, Joe (September 10, 2018). "' Lady Gaga 'A Star Is Born' Premiere Toronto Film Festival 2018". Ikon London Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  29. ^ Vlessing, Etan (July 24, 2018). "Toronto: Timothee Chalamet Starrer 'Beautiful Boy,' Dan Fogelman's 'Life Itself' Among Festival Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  30. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (August 14, 2018). "Damien Chazelle's 'First Man', Alfonso Cuaron's 'Roma', Bradley Cooper's 'A Star Is Born' Head To San Sebastian Fest". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  31. ^ Lawrence, Derek (December 20, 2017). "Lady Gaga's A Star Is Born shifts release date back to fall 2018". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  32. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2016). "Bradley Cooper-Lady Gaga Movie 'A Star Is Born' Gets 2018 Release Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  33. ^ Kroll, Justin. "Bradley Cooper-Lady Gaga's 'Star is Born' Moves to May 2018". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  34. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 7, 2018). "'Venom' Still Showing $80M Fangs; 'A Star Is Born' Hitting $42M+ High Note In Record October Weekend". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  35. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (October 7, 2018). "'Venom' Sinks Teeth Into $205M Global Bow; Sets Biggest October Debut WW – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  36. ^ a b Greenblatt, Leah (August 31, 2018). "Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper make (mostly) beautiful music in A Star Is Born: EW review". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  37. ^ a b Chang, Justin (September 8, 2018). "'A Star Is Born,' 'Beautiful Boy' bring stories of love and addiction to Toronto". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  38. ^ "A Star Is Born (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  39. ^ "A Star Is Born (2018) reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  40. ^ Duralde, Alonso (August 31, 2018). "A Star Is Born Film Review: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga Reinvigorate a Classic". The Wrap. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  41. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (August 31, 2018). "Venice Film Review: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born". Variety. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  42. ^ Zacharek, Stephanie (August 31, 2018). "Lady Gaga Delivers a Knockout Performance in A Star Is Born". Time. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  43. ^ Travers, Peter (October 1, 2018). "'A Star Is Born' Review: Cooper, Lady Gaga Hit All the Right Notes". Rolling Stone.
  44. ^ Hornaday, Ann (September 21, 2018). "Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's hotly anticipated 'A Star is Born' is here — and it is lavishly delightful". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=A_Star_Is_Born_(2018_film)&oldid=862964430"