A Star Is Born Movie Review

A Star Is Born (1976)

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Written by: John Gregory Dunne & Joan Didion and Frank Pierson (screenplay by), William A. Wellman and Robert Carson (based on a story by), Barbra Streisand (writer, uncredited), Jonathan Axelrod, Jay Presson Allen, Alvin Sargent (uncredited)
Directed by: Frank Pierson
Starring: Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, Gary Busey
Rated: R
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Plot
A has-been rock star falls in love with a young, up-and-coming songstress.

Verdict
Part of this is a rock star past his prime and unsure of what purpose his life holds. Many dream of being a rock star, but this shows that dream can be a nightmare as John resorts to self destruction. Infatuation renews his purpose temporarily, but that leads to discontent when his wife's fame surpasses his own. His jealousy leads to familiar vices. This is a glimpse into the ups and downs of someone creative and driven, but unfocused. Everyone around him suffers for it.
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Review
Originally a 1937 film, that has been remade in 1954, 1976, and 2018.

John (Kris Kristofferson) is the stereotypical washed up rockstar. He's aimless and empty, resorting to alcohol to fill the void. While he's famous, he performs because he must. He doesn't enjoy it. He's late to his own concert and doesn't stay long.

While at a bar, John sees Esther (Barbra Streisand) perform. He likes her, and tries to flirt with her to little effect. I imagine part of what draws John to Esther is not only her talent, but seeing someone that wants that fame must remind him of his younger days. Esther agrees to breakfast with John, though that seems like for the sake of the movie more than anything else.

Kris Kristofferson, Barbra Streisand play John, Esther

For an entertainer starting out, Esther doesn't seem interested in the fact that John is a rock star. For someone trying to break in, I'd think she would be more interested, seeing John as an opportunity if nothing more either to get advice or get a gig. I don't know if it's the character or Streisand that is paying this too cool. She never seems like a young singer trying to make it. She's a veteran already.

John used to be out of control, but she's better for him. He's sober every so often, but he's more interested in producing her album that making his own music. His temporary calm is due to have a purpose, but what happens when that album is complete?

This movie does a good job of showing and not telling to avoid exposition. We see what the characters do and are left to fill in the blanks. We see the moment Esther becomes a star on stage. There's a scene towards the end where John is driving his Ferrari. This makes great choices in how that was shot.

Barbra Streisand plays Esther

John and Esther get married, and they're still in that energetic period running on infatuation. You can't help but wonder how far that will take them. It will fade. John is invested in her career, and as she takes off Esther eclipses John. With that project complete, John no longer has a purpose. The last time we saw John without a purpose he was destructive. 

He was a star, but stars don't shine forever. It's not just that John doesn't know how to reconcile what he is if he's not a star. This isn't about John's loss of power, and that combined with a lack of purpose leave him lost. It's not just John doesn't know how to deal with being second, he needs some kind of project to keep himself occupied. He was calm with Esther because at first it was her career and then starting their marriage. Esther is fully developed now. While he loves her, that's not enough to occupy him. I do think their is a hint of jealously, but that also stems from his lack of having something to do. We thought John might turn his life around with Esther, but by the end of the movie he resorts to the same tendencies we saw at the beginning of the movie.