Respond to these rapid questions in our A Star Is Born quiz and we will tell you which A Star Is Born character you are. Play it now.
“A Star Is Born” opens with a scene that captures the essence of what the film is about and why it will keep viewers’ attention until the very end. Bradley Cooper’s film is a hit with audiences everywhere. During a post-show drinking session in a drag club, Cooper’s Jackson Maine meets Lady Gaga’s Ally. Jackson Maine is an alt-country singer with a heavier guitar sound than Cooper’s Jackson Maine. Formerly employed at the club and now working as a waitress somewhere else, she’s returned to perform one of her favorite songs, a breath-taking rendition of “La Vie en Rose.” Then she makes her way down the bar, where she ends up looking Maine in the eyes while the volume of her vocals continues to soar. He is awestruck by her abilities, but there is something deeper about her gaze that he senses. There’s something ineffable about it. Not long after, as Ally is getting ready to leave with Maine to get another drink, he performs a heartfelt song for the club owner, and she comes out just as he is finishing up, making eye contact with him as his vocals reach emotional depth. These are two people who are as much in love with each other’s talent as they are with anything else, and who are inspired by one another in the way that artists are frequently inspired by one another. Cooper and Gaga find a way to make this feel fresh and new despite the fact that this story has been told several times before (and has influenced other similar romances). It’s all in the way they look at you.
After just one evening, Jackson has realized the extent of Ally’s abilities, even hearing her perform a portion of a song she wrote, which will go on to become a massive hit for the two of them in the near future. These early scenes in “A Star Is Born,” particularly the first, in which Ally sings in front of a Maine audience, are absolutely magical, and they should not be missed. I admit to having a natural affinity for stories about true talent finally emerging from the shadows, and there’s an unforced chemistry between Cooper and Lady Gaga that makes these characters easy to root for. The real Lady Gaga understands what it takes to make the transition from waitress to superstar, and she perfectly captures the mix of trepidation and confidence that is required for such a feat. Of course, Ally is nervous when she performs or when she writes songs, but she also believes she is pretty damn good at what she does. She isn’t just a pretty face being watered by a self-assured gentleman. She’s a natural force of nature, and Jackson gives her the encouragement she needs to do what she does best.
All versions of “A Star is Born” follow a similar plot arc, in which one comet rises to the surface while another collides with the earth. Jackson is a deeply alcoholic when we first meet him, and he’s popping pills at the time. As he watches his partner achieve massive fame with a form of pop that he considers to be shallow, he gives his demons even more breathing room. Cooper produces some of his best work throughout his career as the type of man who is constantly on the move. Despite the fact that a friend played by Dave Chappelle attempts to give Jackson the advice that every man requires in order to eventually settle down and stay in a port rather than pulling anchor and moving on again, Jackson is unyielding and stubborn. He’s one of those addicts who will find any reason to sabotage their lives. Cooper is as self-destructive as he is talented, but he manages to avoid just enough of the clichés of the “alcoholism movie” to keep the film grounded in real life. In many ways, it’s a superior performance, one that successfully counterbalances Gaga’s. We can easily imagine them drifting apart as she grows in popularity and he maintains his whiskey-drinking persona, but the performances keep us believing that these people care about and even require one another. Sometimes the same need that brings us to our knees can also bring us to our knees.
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A Star is Born” loses its way slightly in the second half as Ally becomes a household name, but it still manages to entertain. Sadly, some of the pop star material does not work, particularly a poorly timed “SNL” musical performance, because it appears to almost treat what Ally (and even Gaga herself in the real world) do as if it were a bit too superficially treated. The film appears to agree too readily with Jackson’s belief that pop is a disposable form of entertainment. It isn’t always the case. Aspects of the film’s plot that are the most cliched and least effective are the relationships that develop between Ally, Jackson, and Ally’s manager. The good news is that Cooper the director regains his footing in the end, bringing his debut film to a tear-jerking conclusion that even those who haven’t seen the originals will be able to predict but will be moved by nonetheless.
A Star Is Born Quiz
Some may be tempted to pick apart “A Star is Born,” but there is simply too much that has been done right here for them to come across as credible critics. (A friend remarked, “It’s a musical that even angry people will enjoy.”) It all comes down to the people. Cooper, as is so often the case with actors-turned-directors, knows how to direct his cast, as evidenced by the excellent performances given by Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott, Andrew Dice Clay, and others. Aside from that, the film is anchored by its heart-wrenching music—Cooper, wisely allowing Gaga to sing complete songs more than once, while also holding his own as a singer himself, serves as the film’s musical anchor. People go to the movies for the characters, for people they can relate to and perhaps even care about, and “A Star is Born” provides two of the most memorable of the year in terms of characters. I believe that music has the ability to connect with its audience in a way that can change their lives. This is a film that demonstrates that belief. In addition, it will be a treasured piece of work for those who share their convictions.
Also, you will find out which character are you in this A Star Is Born quiz.
It was originally submitted to the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2018, and has been updated.
For more personality quizzes check this: Late Night Quiz.
