Cast: Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson
Directed By: Frank Pierson
This 1976 American rock musical is a remake of two earlier versions – the 1937 drama version starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March and the 1954 musical version starring Judy Garland and James Mason. Compared to both films, this version was the highest-grosser.
John Norman Howard (Kris Kristofferson) is a top singer / songwriter, whose career is on the downslide due to his dependence on chemical and alcohol abuse. His concerts are cut short due to his self destructive lifestyle John meets Esther Hoffman (Barbra Streisand) an innocent, pure and very talented singer who performs at a local club. He tries to befriend her, but Esther is not easily taken in by his charms. Pursuing her everywhere, Esther finally gives in to him and his crude ways in the hope that he will change. They get married and start living on John’s ranch. Believing she has a voice that will make record producers take notice of her, John gives her time in the recording studio and before he knows it, Esther is hitting the headlines.
John cannot adjust to this sudden burst of fame. He recollects his days of glory. Esther has moved on. She is sought by TV channels and the media. She also wins a Grammy Award for her music. John is in the dumps and cannot fathom the success he has given Esther. Esther on the other hand is grateful to what her husband has done for her, but she doesn’t know that John cannot bear watching a Star is Born, while forsaking his own career. Esther’s reason to live with John is only to be happy with him and to help him stop his addictions. But try as she may, she just cannot handle it.
Evergreen is the theme song composed and performed by Streisand with lyrics by Paul Williams which won an Academy award for Best Original Song and earned Streisand a Grammy for Song of the Year. Lots of bonus features too.
2018 brings on a new take on this classic movie. The official motion picture soundtrack to A Star Is Born – which features new music from its principle stars, six-time Grammy Award-winner Lady Gaga and the film’s director, four time Oscar-nominated Bradley Cooper as released in October this year.

Shallow the first song released from the motion picture soundtrack to ‘A Star Is Born’, is performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (written by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, and Andrew Wyatt).
 
Featuring 19 songs in a wide range of musical styles, and 15 dialogue tracks featuring those moments that will take listeners on a journey that mirrors the experience of seeing the film, the soundtrack to A Star Is Born follows the musical arc and romantic journey of the movie’s two lead characters: Bradley Cooper’s Jackson Maine, and Lady Gaga’s Ally.
Rating: *****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira