A STAR IS BORN (2018)

This fourth version of the venerable rags-to-riches-to-heartache-and-ending-in-outright-tragedy showbiz saga accomplishes what the title promises by successfully turning flamboyant entertainer Lady Gaga into a movie star. The fact that the whole force of the Hollywood glamour machine is deployed to deglamorize the outrageous Gaga image only adds to the fun of watching her and seeing what a good actress she is. As for Bradley Cooper, he's a major star already, and no glamour treatment is needed for him to deliver yet another heartfelt performance demonstrating his talent and versatility. He also makes a commendable debut as a director.

The first one-third of the film is pure magic as working class, aspiring singer Ally Campano and damaged rock star Jackson Maine meet, fall in love, and begin working together. The story seems to lose its way a little as Ally becomes famous overnight and soon begins to morph into something resembling a Jennifer Lopez blow-up fetish doll while Jackson declines almost too rapidly with each successive scene. But the film finds its way back toward the end and once again grabs the viewer's heart.

The music as performed by both of the stars is very impressive. The Oscar nominated song "Shallow" is a dramatic standout. Before I saw the movie, I watched Cooper and Gaga sing this song on the Oscar broadcast and I didn't find it to be at all moving or interesting. But when performed within the context of the story, it works beautifully.

Miss Gaga, having added the title of Screen Goddess to her list of professional conquests, will no doubt go on to make other movies. After all, once a star has been born she usually likes to keep her face in front of the cameras. But she may never be able to find a showcase role quite like this one.

The final shot of the film, a closeup of Ally's face, filled with emotion, connects this updated version of the story to its three predecessors. In the end, they're all about the same thing: a one man woman looking for the man that got away.