'A Star is Born' remake exceeds previous attempts

By Source: Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57620360

Everybody loves to complain about how remakes never live up to the originals movies.

I'd say that a solid 90% of the time, that's true. However, the latest incarnation of the classic film "A Star Is Born" is a very big exception to that rule.

The story is the same, and should come as little surprise to anybody who has seen one of the three previous versions - 1937, starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March; 1954, starring Judy Garland and James Mason; and 1976, starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

This time, the film follows hard-drinking musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), who discovers a talented performer, Ally (Lady Gaga), when he stumbles into a drag bar looking for another drink. Ally is a waitress with dreams of being a singer-songwriter, but who has been rejected by record labels because of her look - specifically, her big nose. Jackson, though, loves her look, her music, and - soon - falls in love with her. But Ally's ascent into superstardom is mirrored in reverse with Jackson's alcohol- and drug-fueled descent.

"A Star Is Born" is a remarkable film, made even more remarkable by the fact that it's Bradley Cooper's directorial debut and Lady Gaga's first starring turn on the big screen. But even if they'd been veterans, I would be amazed by this film. There's an intimacy to it that previous versions of the film - at least the most famous, starring Garland and Streisand - never pulled off. There are a lot of big moments, particularly the scenes of huge stadium concerts, but Cooper never lets the audience forget that the film is, at its essence, about these two people.

The excellent direction of the film is incredibly important, but what really makes "A Star is Born" great is the two leads. Cooper and Lady Gaga both have amazing screen presence, and they have incredibly chemistry together. But what is really refreshing is that the film focuses on them and their relationship, rather than the stars playing in the lead. In particular, the 1954 and 1976 versions of the film became vehicles for the leading ladies. It's not that I don't love Garland and Streisand, because I do. In fact, Lady Gaga is, in many ways, very much in their mold - women with enormous talent who don't quite fit that Hollywood look. But, both because of Cooper's excellent direction and the stunning performance by Lady Gaga, you don't watch this movie going, "Oh wow, Lady Gaga!" She allows herself to disappear into the role and become Ally. She moved me to tears several times, both with her powerful singing and with her raw performance.

While "A Star Is Born" hinges on the performances of Cooper and Lady Gaga, I would be remiss if I didn't mention some of the excellent costars who help the film along. I was delighted to see Anthony Ramos, of "Hamilton" fame, as Ally's best friend, not to mention famous drag queens Shangela and Willam. The real supporting star, though, is Sam Elliott in a dramatic and heart-wrenching turn as Jackson's brother Bobby. He put a lot of soul into his nuanced performance, and while he really isn't in the film for long, every appearance is perfection.

If you've seen a previous version of "A Star Is Born," none of the story beats will surprise you, but that doesn't mean that this film isn't well-worth seeing. The Oscar buzz is well-deserved, and even those who love the previous versions of the film will be pleased by this gut-wrenching, soul-stirring take on this well-known story. It is about as close to perfection as you can get on the big screen.

Jenny's Take: See it tonight.
(Rated R for language throughout, some sexuality/nudity and substance abuse. Runs 2 hours, 15 minutes.)

Book Review: "Too Wilde to Wed" by Eloisa James

Full disclosure: I received a free advance reader copy of this book in my work as a librarian and in exchange for an honest review.

Eloisa James is a powerhouse of the historical romance genre, and reading "Too Wilde to Wed," I was reminded why. 

"Too Wilde to Wed" is a fantastic example of what can be done with a historical romance; it fits perfectly into the genre while also feeling new and exciting. 

The book follows North, heir to a dukedom, who is shocked when he returns from war to find his ex-fiance, Diana, who jilted him, working as a governess in North's home, Lindow Castle. 

I am really enjoying the continuing saga of the Wildes - I am currently reading an ARC of the next book, Born to be Wilde. Readers who are fans of quirky families, like Lisa Kleypas' Hathaways and Julia Quinn's Bridgertons, will likely find a lot to love with the Wildes, too. I'm a particular fan of Fitzy, Lindow Castle's resident peacock. I also greatly enjoy the drama that comes with the Wilde family being though of as, well, wild by the press and the people of Britain, and the consequences of that. 

I found "Too Wilde to Wed" particularly delightful, even though our hero and heroine suffer from a bad case of Not-Talking-About-It-itis that plagues so many couples that could otherwise be happy. Still, James' smart writing and a whole group of colorful characters makes this one well worth reading! 

Book Review: "Unmasked by the Marquess" by Cat Sebastian

Full disclosure: I received a free advance reader copy of this book in my work as a librarian and in exchange for an honest review.

I have been following Cat Sebastian's career with interest since her first book, "The Soldier's Scoundrel," was published. I had been DYING to read "Unmasked by the Marquess," the first book in the Regency Imposters series, and also her first romance novel that isn't M/M. However, this is far from a traditional romance.

One of the things I love about Sebastian is that she takes romance tropes and makes them fit into LGBTQ stories, and it's on display particularly well here. "Unmasked by the Marquess" follows the grumpy, bisexual Alistair de Lacey, Marquess of Pembroke, who finds himself intrigued by - and maybe falling in love with - a young country squire named Mr. Robert Selby, in London for the Season to see his sister, Louisa, make an adventageous match. However, Selby is actually a former maid named Charity Church, who has been dressing as Robert so long that she really doesn't identify as a woman anymore. It takes the trope of the woman-dressed-as-a-man and makes it far more interesting - and a realistic experience of a non-binary person. 

Because it's Cat Sebastian, it's also funny, sexy, and sweet. Sebastian always has some comedy and a good amount of sexytimes in her books, but there's always an underlying sweetness that leaves me swooning. And, there are also several mysteries to discover as Alistair and Robin (Alistair's pet name for Robert/Charity) slowly reveal themselves to each other throughout the book. It's really an almost perfectly written book, and as much as I've loved all of Sebastian's books (especially "It Takes Two to Tumble," which featured a lot of my particular romance catnips), I think "Unmasked by the Marquess" might be my favorite.