Go Ahead and Sweep the Oscars: ‘A Star Is Born’ Is Melodrama at Its Best

Before the press premiere of Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, I was less than enthused about the fall melodrama A Star Is Born. In private circles, I made fun of it as “Country 8 Mile,” a lower-class underdog overcoming their demons to let their inner star shine. I was hardly alone — Black audiences as a whole seemed less interested than those who might better relate to Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s dark romance. It was seemingly a story we’ve all heard before. Two hours later, I can soundly report: I was wrong. A Star Is Born is an emotionally stunning and beautiful film. Bradley Cooper drew compelling performances from an incredible story and what should be to no one’s surprise, Lady Gaga is a shining star. Perhaps this fourth version of A Star Is Born (1937, 1954, 1976, and now 2018) should help change the modern conversation about remakes and reboots, as certain stories have enough juice to be squeezed for generations. This version might be best remembered for its cast — a red-faced and gruff Cooper opposite a charming and down-to-earth Lady Gaga — but also the unexpected but intentional relatability of their characters. From its opening scene, you can feel the electricity felt by an artist onstage, followed by the crash that comes when the show ends and they’re a normal person struggling to adjust. The camera shots reflect that reality well, showing the view from side stage, or looking out at the crowd, but rarely from the perspective of the fan looking from the c…