You forgive talented people--a lot. That is a well-known fact that serves as the premise for this film, which is at least the third major adaptation of this story. You'd think a fourth time would not be the charm; that there wouldn't really be much more ground to cover in yet another version...and yet, this one is so well done that it spins such an expectation right around and makes the viewer wonder why it wasn't done again sooner. How is this trick accomplished? Great music, for one thing; the songs (all originals, if I read the credits right) are really strong from the get-go, with one piece after another that is infectious and appealing, and written and performed with a kind of universality that speaks to the broadest audience, in the best possible way. There's a strong country-rock lean to these tunes--certainly those early in the film--but they have tones to them that anyone who likes music can get into. These tunes, though written and performed in the current era, in many ways hark back to the kinds of songs you would have heard on AM radio back in the '70s, when genre-busting tunes were all over the place. Add to that musical element the standard-issue elements of a good movie--excellent acting, vision and direction--and you come away with a potent artistic mix that transcends the cliched essentials of an oft-told tale and delivers something that feels new, fresh, and exciting. Tremendous work by the leads with both the acting and music (Bradley Cooper is an impressive musician, while Lady Gaga is a revelation as an actress) propel the whole package and make this one must-see material. You might even want to get your hands on the soundtrack, too.
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