Jackson Maine (who, it's true, could have benefited from a slightly less "Rugged G. New Music Hear 'Shallow,' Lady Gaga's Slow-Burning Power Ballad From 'A Star Is Born'įortunately, the focus on Cooper benefits from one of his strongest performances. Which one of those things makes it too much? He doesn't know the difference anymore between his regrets and his resentments. There is ambiguity, though, about whether he cannot bear the drag that he has become on her greatness, or whether he cannot bear to be eclipsed and reminded of how far he has fallen. He is redeemed by her love, up to a point, but as she finds success and his power slips, he cannot bear it. The basics remain the same: a talented newcomer to show business meets a seasoned veteran who also happens to be an alcoholic, and they fall in love.
To put it another way: What is it about this story? Why has the story of A Star Is Born been told again and again in most of the same broad strokes: with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March in 1937 with Judy Garland and James Mason in 1954 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in 1976 and now with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in 2018? Pop Culture Molly Ringwald On '80s Movies And Sexual Assault He sets out to bring her brilliance to the attention of the world. He recognizes her talent - and, like all emotional vampires both malicious and merely negligent, he recognizes a shimmering life force he might be able to pump into his own veins to restore himself. There, knowing she's a guest among the queens, Ally (Lady Gaga) swans around the bar singing "La Vie En Rose," clearly doing what she has been, well, born to do. Jackson, in search of anywhere he can drink more, winds up at a drag bar. When he's done, drunk and exhausted, he pours himself into a big black SUV, now alone with his nearly empty bottle, his flushed face, and his lungs that sound like they're filled with ash. Don’t be afraid to jump in now since you can keep changing your predictions until just before nominations are announced on January 22.Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born.Ī Star Is Born begins with Bradley Cooper, as successful country-rock singer Jackson Maine, doing his uninspired but high-octane brand of guitar work in front of a screaming audience of fans. Then take a look at the most up-to-date combined odds before you make your own Oscar predictions. PREDICT the Oscar nominations now change them until January 22īe sure to check out how our experts rank this year’s Oscar contenders. He could very well add an Oscar to that list of plaudits as “Shallow” is being campaigned for Best Original Song.
Ronson has five Grammys on his mantel: Producer of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album for producing Amy Winehouse‘s “Back to Black,” and Record of the Year for Winehouse’s “Rehab” in 2008, then Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Uptown Funk” with Bruno Mars in 2016. You’re just there to give some moral support, throw a word at her every now and then.” But the main thing is she’s driving the ship. “We had a bit of a bond at that point from working on ‘Joanne,’ so I could help her finish certain sentences. Writing “Shallow” was “like anytime I work with Gaga: 80% of it’s coming from her.” When collaborating with an artist, Ronson views his job as being a sounding board for ideas. SEE Will ‘A Star Is Born’ match the 1976 version’s 5 Golden Globe wins? But when she takes the stage that first time as Ally even he admits to “believing this was her first performance.” He “forgot she’s already famous” and that “she was somebody I kinda know and worked with.” Ronson recently worked with Gaga on her album “Joanne,” so he was “fully aware of what a giant pop star” she is. “Shallow” serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative: an original tune written by Ally, it’s the first song she performs in front of a large crowd, and proof she has what it takes. But his drug and alcohol addictions worsen after he begins dating his protege. release as Jackson Maine, a fading musician who helps propel a young singer, Ally (Gaga), to stardom. Cooper directs and stars in this Warner Bros.