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Please give a full review of a star is born and analysis of some of your favorite scenes and elements in the movie thank you
So, this question has been sitting in my ask box for months. I don’t know why I’m answering it now because I haven’t even watched the movie again and I’m sorry it’s not everything you asked for but here you go. Me pouring my heart out about a film that means so much to me. Get it here on letterboxd too.
In December 2017, when I was just discovering my true love and passion for film, I went to see The Greatest Showman in theatres. And then I proceeded to see it 3 more times after that (within two weeks). I didn’t even think I was going to like the film, I thought it was mainstream, musical bullshit but it was a fun night out with my friends. After what I just said, I wouldn’t blame you if you clicked off this review, disregarded all future comments I have to say on any film, and unfollow but HEAR ME OUT. There is a reason why I’m talking about The Greatest Showman in a review of A Star is Born.
When I watch The Greatest Showman, as much as my film student/film critic mind tries to be like sis turn this off, it’s no challenge for how it makes me feel. Like genuinely……there are so many full body emotions happening that I can’t sit still. When it’s over, I realise that my hands have been on my heart for however long, my eyes are sore from crying (not even at the sad bits, I just get overwhelmed) and my jaw literally aches from smiling so much. No other film has made me feel this unique, deep-rooted connection since discovering The Greatest Showman (not even my blessed favourite movie of all time Call Me by your Name (it’s a different kind of feeling that I can’t even explain)) - until A Star is Born.
You think I’m moving onto talk about a A Star is Born now? Wrong. I understand that as I mentioned before, TGS didn’t just provide me with a good viewing experience, it provided me with a lot more than that. My phase of discovering my love for film consisted of TGS, Call Me by your Name and Lady Bird. Before watching these films I felt completely uprooted from the ground, like I had no direction, no passion or drive. These films were the ones I always came back to (and still do) to remind myself of why I’m doing what I do. Making decisions about the rest of your life is scary. So not only does TGS remind me of a pivotal, mammoth moment/period of my life but it brings me right back to driving with my friends to and from the cinema, the soundtrack on full blast, chills everywhere and singing at the top of our lungs. When I think about my youth, my teenage years, these are the moments that I’ll remember.
I felt ever since then I was trying to chase the high that that period of my life gave me, but I was unsuccessful UNTIL A Star is Born. Again, I thought it was going to be mainstream, musical bullshit but I went to go see it anyway. It had been a couple weeks at University by this point. I had no friends, I was isolated in my room all the time, I was in a big city I’d always dreamed of being in and I was questioning over and over - what the fuck have I done? Then I went to go see this film. I do not exaggerate when I say all the fear, all my worries etc completely fell away whilst watching this film and in its place was that feeling I’d been chasing for so long. Belonging, passion, motivation, inspiration. I cried for most of the way through, then all the way home, then for about 3 hours when I got home, then whilst I was writing an Instagram post about how I was crying.
When I try and break it down, I don’t even know exactly what it is that made me feel this way. Maybe it’s because I just feel so much passion in this film, particularly from Gaga. Whether she’s channelling her real experiences or not, her passion for music and for Jack literally have me winded. From the moment she starts singing in the drag bar, I have goosebumps and lets not even talk about when she starts singing shallow on stage. It all just felt so real to me, like I wasn’t watching a film at all. For a first time actress like Gaga, what she has achieved with this performance is staggering. Her passion (for music and Jack) also reminds me of my own, you know? Like she worked so hard her whole life to achieve something and is always in the pursuit of happiness and the way she just belts out those note in shallow and everyone’s suddenly listening and I’m like - more than anything I want that to be me, but when the end credits roll for a movie I made.
So in a similar vein, where TGS provided a soundtrack to the happiest time of my life, A Star is Born provided me with the soundtrack to undoubtedly the hardest times. Mental illness met the big city and independency and the only thing that brought me comfort was the only thing that ever has; film. (The soundtrack would also be playing full blast in the car when I visited home and my friends, so extra sentimental points) I’ve read countless amounts of negative reviews and I get the criticisms. It’s recycled content (I’ve never watched the other versions), cinematically there’s nothing that remarkable about it, everyone hates Bradley Cooper. Do I think it should win best picture? No. As you can see neither TGS or ASIB are in my top 4 films on here (letterboxd), because they’re not my favourite films, they’re my most important memories. This film is going to be one of those films that’s impact will stay with me throughout my life. It found me when I needed it. It made me feel so much.
I haven’t even seen this film since October, it’s just been on my mind. But I’m definitely booking to go see it again this week. I hope you all have films or something that make you feel like this; that remind you of who you are and where you’re going.
want to ask something so im gonna ask it
what films do you think define your youth or define/remind you of certain times in your life?
this is my personal selection:
(500) days of summer
the perks of being a wallflower
call me by your name
submarine
the greatest showman
a star is born
to the bone
lady bird
20th century women
love, rosie
the edge of seventeen
im not saying all these films are amazing or anything like that, i’m just saying they have significance in my life for particular reasons. i’m just interested to see what you guys say because this is so personal and the answers are going to be so diverse!
What do you think about the messages behind US and Lady bird? Two really different films, i know
US (2019)
i haven’t actually read about what jordan peele’s intended message was for us, but i read this review after watching it and i like this interpretation a lot. in this case, i think it’s a very mature and complex message. i think peele is an outstanding screenwriter and am yet to decide which was better in that sense, us or get out.
i wrote two reviews after watching us here and here if you would like to read.
LADY BIRD (2017)
i think this summarises perfectly what i think about the message of the film. this is one of the most personal reviews i’ve ever written and this film means so much to me and i hope that’s reflected in what i’ve written.
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What about the You review?
*spoilers*
i think it was a really interesting concept - the fact joe is charismatic and good looking and you end up rooting for him and hating everyone else. it comes quite a shock when beck finds the box and you remember that he’s a serial killer and sociopath. i feel like its netflix release was particularly well-timed as the ted bundy tapes came out shortly after and you can see where this fictional story actually has some truth to it. bundy was charismatic and good looking and there were literally women who turned up to his trials, laughed at his jokes, fangirled over him. fan culture ultimately swooped joe up too, but it’s easier to justify because joe is a fictional character and of course the actor, penn badgley, isn’t a serial killer.
as for the series itself; i don’t think it was the best-written, most put together show i’ve ever watched, but i did binge watch it and i was hooked. it took me a while to get used to the narration but i eventually really enjoyed it as i thought joe was really witty (i am a victim of the aforementioned!) and it added a lot to the visuals. it was shot well but nothing new.
however, i could identify a lot of plot holes if i really tried and some things were just plain unrealistic. i also didn’t really like the ending; after everything beck’s death was anticlimactic. but i guess that’s the point. beck is just one of his victims. the show digs deep into her life and we are able to humanise her and form a connection, where we’re not given the time or the depth with the other characters - but all these people had lives and families too. i also don’t care about the ex-girlfriend story-line and it bothers me that the second series is likely to focus on that.
so in summary; i liked it a lot, it’s a good show and i would recommend it. it’s very mature, witty, interesting and a lil’ disgusting but it’s not the best thing i’ve ever watched
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What was your opinion about Armie's performance on " on the basis of sex ? "
i think he suited the role really well. marty and armie are really similar in how they treat/view their wives and and family and stand for similar things, so i think it was a really natural role for him. i’m glad he’s moving onto roles with more depth and where he’s not just the ‘token hot guy’.
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thoughts on hereditary
HEREDITARY
*spoilers*
I made some notes in my initial review on letterboxd if anyone wants to check it out here
It was one of those films that you like the more you think about it. I’ve always avoided the horror genre 1) because I THOUGHT I scared easily 2) I think the plots are recycled and boring, but I’ve seen how much praise Hereditary has been getting and I was very intrigued (I just didn’t want to watch it alone). Although they might be considered more thrillers, after watching Luca’s Suspiria, Black Swan, Se7en and Prisoners and LOVING them, I knew that I should probably venture into these sorts of films more. I’m glad I did!
For one, more than just being scary, this was actually an amazing cinematic piece. I am so tired of the POV shot horror films and I’m so glad this was different. Like everything was disgusting but also beautiful? Like there’s so many shots that are stuck in my head not because they were scary but because I loved how they looked e.g. the dad bursting into flames, Peter being crowned at the end. It reminds me of Guadagnino’s Suspiria in the way it perfectly balances art and horror.
If we’re still talking about the plot, I thought it was very interesting and I’m particularly fond of it because I was able to work it out (I rarely am paying attention enough to make sense of anything). A lot of things also happened that were so unpredictable. I think my mouth hung open for a solid twenty minutes after THAT (you know) thing happened. What I have come to realise from my recent venture into this genre is that I don’t scare easily and in fact I am the opposite. When I watched Se7en I kept rewinding to the goriest bits because I found it fascinating, and the same applied to Hereditary. The grosser it got the more I loved it (probably shouldn’t admit this on the internet). Most people say they can’t sleep at night after watching this but it’s more like I can’t sleep at night because I’m thinking about how much I loved it.
The performances were so strong (apart from the dad, lol sorry when he caught fire literally ruined it for me because his acting was so shite). I know I talked about this a bit in my letterboxd review, but although I think Toni Collette deserves all the praise she has gotten for this film (and more - academy I’m talking to you), my favourite performance was from Alex Wolff. I’ve only seen him in quite insignificant roles before but I think in many ways he carries this film on his shoulders. This is not an easy role to play and he plays it SO WELL.
I never know how to finish reviews but basically to summarise; highly anticipated, exceeded expectations. Highly recommend
thoughts on green book / it winning best picture ?
okay firstly, here is everything wrong with green book. im not ignoring it, im not feigning ignorance, im aware of its pitfalls. i think perhaps for these reasons, it shouldn’t have won best picture as its seen as a step back compared to wins for films such as moonlight.
however, as a film, i truly loved it. out of the oscar nominated films i watched, it was my second favourite. this doesn’t mean it was the BEST FILM with the best technicalities etc and that i thought it should win best picture but to me, i enjoyed it more than most others. i don’t want to ignore the plain issues there are with it but for me, it was a film that had a little bit of everything i liked. some of the visuals were stunning, i keep thinking about that picnic table scene and it’s been weeks since i watched it. it was so beautifully composed down to the finest detail. the green colour palette throughout was something i also loved, aiding the narrative in making it feel like a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. the performances are also of such high standard, i truly loved loved loved viggo mortensen and mahershala ali in these roles and as a duo they were electric. the script was witty and highly entertaining and the comedy timing was on point throughout. this all made for an enjoyable viewing experience, dare i say it my third favourite viewing experience of the year so far.
saying this, when we compare it to last years nominations and last years winner, it does seem like a massive step back. last year was so rich with beautiful stories that were different and innovative. the best picture category seemed like a race worth watching. however, i didn’t particularly care which film won best picture this year because i knew the ones i liked weren’t of oscar standard (i loved a star is born so much but didn’t think it was best picture worthy - as well as some of my favourites that got snubbed like sorry to bother you, suspiria, if beale street could talk) so it was a surprise when green book won. i really hope this isn’t a bench mark in a slow decline of cinema and instead just a lull.
so in summary, do i think green book should have won best picture? no. but do i think any of the films nominated should have won best picture? not really. did i like the film? yes. i liked it a lot. but is it problematic? yes.
i’ve felt apprehensive about speaking about this because literally when my friend and i came out of the cinema and he asked me what i thought i said; i feel like i can’t comment because i saw it from a place of white privilege and all i’ll ever know about the black experience is what is shown and told to me. i don’t like this film because i think it adds to a superiority complex or i think i can feel better about having white privilege because this is a true redemption story about how a black man saved a white man. i liked it because on the surface it’s a wholesome story about what it is to be human and how no matter the colour of our skin, we all have something to learn from one another.
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