A Star is Born Movie Review

A Star is Born (1954)

Rent A Star is Born on Amazon Video
Written by: Moss Hart (screen play by), Dorothy Parker & Alan Campbell & Robert Carson (based on the 1937 screen play by) and William A. Wellman and Robert Carson (based on the 1937 story by)
Directed by: George Cukor
Starring: Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson
Rated: NR (PG)
Watch the trailer

Plot
A film star helps a young singer & actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism take his own career on a downward spiral.

Verdict
A former star meeting a star on the rise is a great hook. This is a great story, part of why it's remade so often, and it works much better than the 2018 remake. The two share a lot of similarities, but the problem with this movie is the dated style. From the cinematography to the acting, it doesn't feel as intimate as contemporary movies. That pervades the movie despite the intrigue of the characters.
It depends.

Review
This is a precursor to the 1976 version which preceded the 2018 movie and is a remake of the 1937 movie. The 2018 version was uneven, it raised interesting points but didn't pay them off. It's an intriguing story overall and that's why it keeps getting remade. This one crafts a better story than 2018, but it's age shows in the film making and style. This movie was notable at the time as it was Judy Garland's return to film.

James Mason and Judy Garland play Norman and Vicki.

This starts a bit slow, which is typical for the time. A star on the way out, Norma, sees talent trying to break in, Vicki. He's enamored but is it due to talent or infatuation? Norman is the fading star, and part of his issue is that in the transforming film business an alcoholic star isn't as easy to hide. That statement could be made in a contemporary movie and be relevant.

Due to despair and pride Normal spirals down. He can't get work because he drinks, drinking because he can't get work. He's married to Vicki and she's doing well. It's an unhealthy relationship, but she feels indebted to Norma. He's the reason she is a star. He had the connections to get her that first shot.

It's not a bad movie. It's got a great story that is prone to '50s overacting. These two characters are on different sides of the escalator. From the start they are both on a track that doesn't deviate. Intriguing aspects of this story are why Vicki doesn't move on. Maybe it's sentimentality.

While the ending to the 2018 movie is very similar, this one works much better.