A Star is Born…

~Saturday~  Bob and I watched the next movie, A Star is Born, in the list of Barbra Streisand movies, which we’re working our way through in chronological order.

The synopsis

Esther Hoffman, an aspiring singer/songwriter, meets John Norman Howard, a famous, successful and self-destructive singer/songwriter, whom, after a series of coincidental meetings, she finally starts dating. Believing in her talent, John gives her a helping hand and her career begins to eclipse his.

The trailer

My thoughts and observations

  • I have seen this movie before, and again this time, I thought, “It’s quite good, but not great.”
  • Themes touched on in this movie included:
    • What constitutes both love and success
    • Non-traditional male and female roles in relationships
    • Adultery
    • Self-destruction—in both professional and personal lives
    • Life on the road as a celebrity
    • Substance abuse
    • Thrill-seeking
    • Depression and suicide
  • If I were watching it alone, I would have fast-forwarded through the songs that Kris Kristofferson sang. The second time he sings Watch Closely Now is one time too many.
  • Speaking of Kris, he’s adorable in the face—complete with beautiful eyes and the salt and pepper beard—but the rest of his body does nothing for me. He needs a goody trail, at the very least.
  • I agree with Bob, who says about the song Esther Hoffman Howard (Barbra’s character) sings at the end of the film, “She goes through every emotion there is during that song.”
  • I gave this movie one-and-a-half thumbs up, mostly for the music—Barbra’s music.

Have you seen this movie? If so, what did you think of it?
 

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