Silver Linings Songbook.
135 Mins. Starring: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Andrew Dice Clay, Anthony Ramos, Eddie Griffin, Barry Shabaka Henley, Dave Chappelle & Sam Elliott. Director: Bradley Cooper.
Reborn this way. You're about to see the raa raa of Lady Gaga like you've never seen her before. But first, at the risk of dropping names, let me tell you about the time I met Bradley Cooper. I was in New York a fair few years ago dancing between two theatres in Manhattan, trying to decide what Broadway show to watch. Hugh Jackman's fishermans friend 'The River', or Cooper in the story of 'The Elephant Man'. As the prices kept auction going up everytime I alternated between the two I finally decided on a trip down 'The River' as the box office cashier told me I could get a ticket for $100 dollars, or stand for 10 (I've been standing my whole life Karen. 10 is fine). Just then a Range Rover pulled up outside and wouldn't you know Hugh Jackman got out. And after three photo attempts on a broken camera to which he politely said, "last one mate" I think I might of pissed off the nicest man alive. Unleashed The Wolverine. But following his stellar show, were right as the lights went down because I was on my own I was moved to the first row ("Oh hey Hugh! Remember me!? Sorry about this cough I seem to have developed just now"), I thought who else could I meet? So I went to the theatre 'The Elephant Man' was playing a full six months before I actually finally got to catch its amazing run in London's West End and went autograph hunting (yeah...I know). As a beat Cooper made his way around with pause to recreate his Oscar selfie pose with everyone (side note: I've been (not true. I disagree) sometimes told I look like Bradley Cooper (I wish). Now side by side I have proof I really don't. More like the down and out Bradley in the first scene of 'Limitless' ("my reason for looking like this? I'm a writer!") or rock star grunged up and overgrown here), I told him his movie 'Silver Linings Playbook' really helped with my troubles with anxiety. He stopped, turned around, looked with me with consideration, took his winter glove off with care and shook my hand like he meant it. The point I'm making? Bradley Cooper understands. He understands pain and suffering in an Instagram treadmill scrolling (imagine your phone has a track that runs all the way around its body) influenced world that would like to play pretend that it doesn't exist. This is a man who used his 'Silver Linings' award acceptance speech to talk about anxiety before most in the mass media do today and that more soldiers die from PTSD and mental health issues these days coming home than they do on the battlefield. And he told the world about this...at the MTV awards. Now a lonely leading man like a rock star from the first minute he lets it riff rip to doubt shredding shook heads and wide smiles, hides under his stetson whilst ambling between frantic adoring fanfare and abhorrent flashbulbs. The man with the same Jackson Maine name slumps into the back of a limousine and twists the hat off Jack. The Academy nominated actor (who really stepped the game up with 'The Place Beyond The Pines', 'American Hustle', 'Sniper' and his Broadway to West End theatre gig as 'The Elephant Man' which really needs to be turned into a movie, as well as that Charlie Heaton T.V. series) knows trouble, even for a Hollywood star on stage with millions of adoring fans. He gets it. He also knows when to take a step back.
Because this is Gaga's time to shine in 'A Star Is Born'. Right from the moment you hear her Ally sing in the alleyway behind her waiting on job after a nightshift, as the titles go up echoing old Hollywoodland starlets. And boy does she glow like this movies epic and energetic first act that is so euphoric and drag queen glam. Her barstool performance of 'La Vie En Rose' is worthy of Paris' Moulin Rouge. From the natural beauty she exudes with no make up to the pure presence she has on any stage that is just neon. A burning star, illuminated by one who has burnt out. Sharing a love so bright it could burn you if you get too close. A lot like your own star status shooting for the 'First Man' Ryan Gosling, 'La La Land' that's out of this world. Stardom in this arena, much akin to writing, or waiting on in shift work patterns is often feast or famine. Many know how to enjoy the feast, but few how to prepare for the famine. One day it's like those pigeons off 'Paddington'...the next, crumbs. But there are no peaks without valleys in this world and both can be found across the wide songwriting expanse of the American land of country music. And 'Poker Face' Lady Gaga who rocked a stetson for her last album 'Joanne' in tribute to a late relative knows this like this genre all too fondly. And seeing this Hollywood starlet sing like a siren as the leading lady to her own movie is as joyous as the autographed result of waiting at the backstage door for a musician like her after a gig in concert with the few fans that haven't given up hope, or the ghost that they've already left. This is well worth the anticipated wait...in Oscar gold. This whole melodrama is a revelation. From Cooper's triple threat abilities to direct and sing stage left, to Gaga's acting chops. She can act just as well, like leading lady Emma Stone can sing. Don't write off this actor and singers ability to swap stories so cohesively. This staged production like everything begins with a pad and pen. Remember, Gillian Flynn was fired by the same magazine who later ran a cover of her 'Gone Girl' movie. Philip K. Dick only saw a preview of his first movie adaptation called 'Blade Runner' before he passed. F. Scott Fitzgerald died poor before 'The Great Gatsby' hit rich. Believe what you write or create is worth more. And just because you're one thing in reputation doesn't mean you can't be another. Just because you're down and out, doesn't mean you can't phoenix. Just because you normally just talk, doesn't mean you just can't sing. Roll up those sleeves. Hit those notes. Because these two stars aswell as both doing what they do best (which is sing and act), crossover as they shoot and hit the moon with the stream ease of a river flowing towards their opposite ends of the artistic spectrum and right through to the other side, where acclaim and accolades await.
'The Greatest Showman' this is not. A million miles away from 'La La Land'. No matter how mainstream massive those musicals are, this 'Crazy Heart' walks the line that Hollywood has remade three times before. But with all due respect to Kris Kristofferson, Barbara Streisand (this one shares DNA nuance and plot strands with this '76 standout of the outstanding originals) and even Judy Garland, never quite like this. This is the greatest hit of 'A Star Is Born' scoring even more points for it's outstanding and original, stellar soundtrack featuring an icon of pop music and an acting one who could definitely put out his own album like Jeff Bridges, Scarlet Johansson or we hope at some point 'Inside Llewyn Davis', Oscar Isaac now. Just wait until he lyrical poetry suggests, "maybe it's time to let the old ways die". Or when under the glare of a Roy Orbison tribute, his Maine attraction Gibson shaking threatens to steal the show like when the late, great Prince did from fellow Travelling Willbury and dearly departed Tom Petty with a guitar solo thrown up in tribute to Beatle, George Harrison. Or this movies swan song and its lasting laments. Not to mention more stellar songs we won't even talk about, because hearing them before you see them in cinematic concert are like spoilers in themselves. Your new Spotify playlist gets by with a little help from their friends behind the scenes, including super producer Mark Ronson and Willie Nelson's boy. No wonder they could on songbook paper hold their own on stage, live and for real at Glastonbury and Coachella during filming. Speaking of friends, comedy God, Dave Chappelle (who has had the best friend thing down since your laptops (remember them?) told you, 'You Got Mail') is as heartfelt as he is hilarious. Even bringing along fellow Def comedian Eddie Griffin to church. Worried for a friend snorting cocaine from his Nashville boots heel and blowing his eardrums with Marshall. Flexing his acting, aswell as his literal weight room muscles in a McClane vest. But it's 'Hamilton' star Anthony Ramos who sets the stage and takes the bar as the best, best friend. Or B.F.F. if you will. Andrew Dice Clay also rolls out a Sinatra Vegas, lounge singer character. Whose born star never left the living room with his own dinner suit Rat Pack gang, featuring filmography journeymen like Barry Shabaka Henley giving it their Sunday best. Whilst country strong legend Sam Elliott lends his moustached 'Big Lebowski' narrating drawl that everyone wishes they could say was theirs to this ensemble as Brad's big brother with words of wisdom and weariness bridged by the generational gap. Even one of todays Gaga pop singers Halsey makes a noteworthy cameo appearance like SNL legend Alec Baldwin as herself on an award tour. Certainly worthy of a future collaboration. But this stage was made for Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta and the man playing the strings behind her. Never giving up her. Even if he is on himself (which she in turn refuses to do the same). Turning their potent pain into puncuated power in a moving movie that will emotionally break you. The first 20 minutes this writer was all smiles. The last 20...all tears. Because to capture and write peoples emotions like this with such loving sensitivity leaves you vulnerable to being open to the pain and darkness on the other side of the light that makes us human. Cooper and Gaga prove they are the right combo in collabo after DiCaprio, Cruise, Will Smith, Christian Bale and Beyonce under Clint Eastwood's (whose about to be chased by Cooper's cop in what looks to be a Redford 'Old Man And The Gun' epic 'The Mule') all auditoned to have this stars birthright. This is the greatest duet for the fantastic 'Five Foot Two' Netflix docu star since she went 'Cheek To Cheek' with legendary crooner Tony Bennett (who probably remembers growing up with the Garland spectacle). One ring fingertip touching grocery store parking lot, post-bar fight scene tenderly tells you all you need to know with just a taste of things to come in songwriting harmony. As this leading Lady Gaga shows she's an amazing actor ready for the Academy. As Cooper already there, shows he too like Stefani Joanne is a great singer/songwriter capable of producing a hit and some lasting lyrics even today's superstars songbook wish they had scrawled down in their back pocket. And as they both share the microphone to tell their stories in new to them individual, different ways, the city of stars reborn will never be the same. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Crazy Heart', 'Country Strong', 'Walk The Line'.
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