Any fan of Bradley Cooper should check outA Star is Born, as it continues to find an audience on streaming. After gradually making a name for himself in supporting roles,Cooper’s career in movieswas pushed forward in the hilarious R-rated comedy,The Hangover. Since then, Cooper has chosen interesting and diverse projects to further build an impressive filmography.
Perhaps his most famous role is one in which he is unrecognizable, providing the voice ofRocket inGuardians of the Galaxyand the larger MCU. He has also found considerable accolades, earning five Oscar nominations to date for his acting. However, Cooper’s move to directing has also earned considerable praise.
While there have been manygreat actors-turned-directorsover the years, Cooper immediately put himself in that category with a debut film that stunned critics and audiences. Now on Netflix, the movie continues to impress.
A Star Is Born Is A Must-Watch Movie (& It’s Now On Netflix)
Bradley Cooper Produced, Co-Wrote, Directed, And Starred In The Remake
A Star is Bornwas added to Netflix on July 8, immediately making it one of the most exciting titles on the streamer. It is a trulygreat passion projectfor Bradley Cooper, who produced, co-wrote, directed, and starred in the remake. It served as a stunning debut as a director and a powerful retelling of the familiar story.
A Star is Bornwas nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Cooper himself received nominations for acting and writing.
Cooper stars as Jackson Maine, an alcoholic rock star who meets and falls in love with an aspiring singer, Ally Campana (Lady Gaga). As her career begins to take off, Jackson finds himself fading as an artist and being overcome by his struggles. It makes for a lively musical, a searing drama, and aheartbreaking romance movieall in one.
A Star is Bornwas a huge success upon its release, scoring 90% onRotten Tomatoesand earning $436 million at the box office on a $36 million budget (viaBox Office Mojo). The success continued into awards season, whereA Star is Bornwas nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture. Cooper himself received nominations for acting and writing.
Of course,one of the biggest successes for the movie was its original song, “Shallow,“which won the film its sole Oscar. The song is not only a powerful moment in the movie, but became a huge hit in the music world and a pop culture sensation, further cementing the legacy ofA Star is Bornas a modern classic.
Why A Star Is Born Worked So Well, Despite Being Yet Another Remake
Cooper Committed To An Authentic And Intimate Drama Set In The World Of Celebrity
A Star is Bornis actually the fourth American remakeof the story, which may surprise a lot of people, as Bradley Cooper’s version feels so fresh and original. The original movie was released in 1937 and focused on a romance between an aspiring actress (Janet Gaynor) and a fading movie star (Fredric March).
The movie was subsequently remade in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason in the lead roles, then again in 1976, with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in the lead roles. Each time it was the same story of a rising star and a fading artist who fall in love, only for it to end in tragedy.
Directed by
Janet Gaynor and Fredric Marsh
Judy Garland and James Mason
Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper
A Star is Borndoesn’t change much in terms of the overall story, but Cooper makes it a more immersive experience than any of the other movies.He filmed at real concerts in front of real crowds, making for exhilarating moments, including the first time Jackson and Ally perform “Shallow” together.
These choices make it feel like the audience is really in this world with these artists, which subsequently makes the romance feel more intimate and special. Cooper and Lady Gaga share terrific chemistry together, making the tender moments and the harsher moments feel real.Sam Elliott is also fantasticas Cooper’s manager and brother.
While the news that Cooper chose to retell this story yet again for his directorial debut was surprising, he found a way to make it a worthwhile return to the material. People will have their own opinions on the best of the four versions, but it is hard to argue that Cooper made the definitiveA Star is Born.
