A Star Is Born
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Movie Reviews of A Star Is Born
Movie Review: ...and a word about James Mason
Summary: 5 Stars
Everyone watches and adores this film because Judy Garland is so magnificent in it. It's her comeback film and rarely has she been so riveting. But I'd like to concentrate on an aspect of the movie that is curiously (tragically) overlooked: the understated and beautiful performance by James Mason.Mason's portrayal of the tortured, alcoholic Norman Maine is a performance of depth and grace. Mason was a brilliant, quiet actor who infused Maine with a sardonic sense of humor and a haunting sort of pathos. While this is Garland's picture from beginning to end, I will always argue that it's Mason's character who is central to the movie and that Mason was pivotal in getting Garland's performance to resonate.
Most Garland biographers say that Judy was in love with Mason and that the two had an affair. One senses their chemistry and Judy's almost desperate willingness to please the handsome British star. Their interplay together is touching and holds up wonderfully well after half a century. I contrast the Garland-Mason chemistry to the non-existent interaction between Gaynor-March and the dismal Streisand-Kristoferson remake in 1976.
Appreciate also the supporting performances by Charles Bickford and Jack Carson, two characters too-often overlooked. One of my favorite scenes is when Bickford visits Mason in the aftermath of his arrest for DUI, and offers him a script with a supporting role. The proud character of Norman Maine refuses the role and lies by saying another studio is interested in him. Bickford knows this is balderdash, but is so gentle and insistent that he at least try his hand once more at acting.
So watch this marvelous film and enjoy the incomparable talent of Judy Garland, but save a thought and glance for the gorgeous gentleman who played Norman Maine. What an actor he was.
Movie Review: A Star Still Glitters
Summary: 5 Stars
All of the reviews of this film tell the oft-told story, and how the performances are wonderful. They are correct! I have watched this film more times than I can count, and I still find new things to discover about it.
The performances are legendary, and much has been written about the loss of Oscars for Garland, Mason and the film itself, but the legacy of their work has survived the losses magnificently!
Some of the best music ever written by Harold Arlen is in this film, from the power of "The Man That Got Away", to the humor of "Gotta Have Me Go With You" and "Lose That Long Face", to the show-within-a-show of "Someone At Last", where Garland does her best to cheer up her husband (James Mason) who has been fired by his film studio and is heading for a deep depression.
Buthered by Warner Bros. after its initial release, and, finally, rescued by film historian Ron Haver, the film is every bit as great as critics said it was in 1954. Despite a slightly dated storyline (actors no longer sign long-term contracts with movie studios, etc.) the story still holds up very, very well. The Hollywood setting is merely a backdrop for what is one of the greatest love stories ever written, and shows the true despair one feels when a loved one is fighting so many demons in their life.
For pure enternament value, for lovers of great acting, for those who love great film music, and for those who enjoy a film with the color and detailed richness of the backgrounds, nothing can beat "A Star Is Born". A towering achievement not only for Judy Garland and James Mason, but for director George Cukor, and the supporting cast of Charles Bickford, Jack Carson and the nearly neglected Tom Noonan.
Definitely worth the price and more!
Movie Review: Simply the Best Performance Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I had the good fortune to have seen this movie in its original, uncut, length on Christmas Day 1954 at the Pantages Theater in LA. The production number "Born in a Trunk" was the last scene prior to intermission. When Judy finished the number, the entire movie audience rose to thier feet and gave that filmed performance a 5 minute standing ovation. To this day, I have never witnessed anything like it. It was pure magic.
I know that many movie critics have rated her performance as the finest by a female performer in the history of show business. I would offer that it was the best by any performer in the history of show business.
Over the years, I have purchased a couple of VHS tapes of the movie. One was the butchered release by Warner Bros. The other was the first attempt
at restoration. Niether of these were satisfactory reproductions.
One of my Grand Daughters is very much involved in theater study and is working hard to fulfill her dream to become a star. I want her to have an advance study guide on "how to deliver a fantastic performance"
I want her to see the all time epic movie star performance, so I purchased two copies of this almost fully restored latest version. I must say I am totally impressed. The sound is great on my 5.1 home theater and the restoration is superb.
The supporting cast, led by James Mason, is truly great.
It will always be show businesses ultimate mystery as to why the Motion Picture Academy ignored the greatness of this all time classic movie. Judy Garland and James Mason, without a doubt, deserved Oscars for thier performances.
If I could give this DVD 10 rating, I would. Buy it, you will love it!
G Pearman
Movie Review: Perhaps Garland's Best Work
Summary: 5 Stars
I reluctantly gave this superb film 5 stars not because of any shortcomings in the script or the acting-both are unbelievebly good-but because of what the studio had done to the movie.
It was originally released at over 3 hours in lenght. When exhibitors demanded that it be shortened Warner's obliged by cutting it to 154 minutes. In the early 1980s the studio realized what it really had, and set about reconstructing and restoring the movie.
Because of initial sloppiness (footage being thrown out), it became impossible to fully reconstruct the film. The result is that there is a segment of some 7 minutes of stills about one hour into the picture trying to restore some of the lost scenes. Gone, too, apparently. is Vicki Lester's screen test.
All of this aside, what the viewer sees on the 1999 digitally restored DVD is superb. The color correction of the nearly 20 minutes it was possible to restore is excellent. The actors' performances are outstanding. Not only is Garland a superb singer and dancer,but the close intimate scenes with Mason radiate a warmth and tenderness rarely captured on film. Mason, too, is superb as Norman Maine. When drunk, his character is absolutely dispicable-becoming phisical and violent. Great, too, is the supporting cast.Jack Carson as the studio publicist Libby plays the role with much more profesionalialism and less corniness than his counterpart Lionel Streater did in 1937.
This is, by far, the best version of the film and well worth owning and viewing- dispite the minor shortcomings of its reconstruction.There is not one corny word of dialog in the Moss Hart script.
Movie Review: DVD looks GORGEOUS!
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow! I am very impressed with the DVD of this film. I have to admit that the first thing I did (after unwrapping it, of course) was pop it in the DVD player and chapter-skip to the BORN IN A TRUNK sequence. Ahhhhh. It is SO NICE to see this film in widescreen. I knew Warner had done an excellent job with the transfer as soon as those red roses were wheeled in behind Judy Garland in her "Swanee" outfit. Gorgeous! The "Peanut Vender Song" set is GREEN! Who would have known? The set and costume design in "You Took Advantage of Me" is fabulously clear (Judy's grey suit, red portfolio, matching lipstick...wow!)The film just looks great. The soundtrack sounds pretty clear (for a 1954 film...) The disc is two-sided. The film is on one side, and the bonus stuff is on the other. The three versions of MAN THAT GOT AWAY are very interesting. It is fascinating to see the versions that were filmed. It seems like they started out too bright. And Garland's costumes were not flattering.
One note about the non-technical part of the film: After not having seen A STAR IS BORN for a few years, the main thing that struck me is how incredible Garland's performance is. She is truly a realistic actor -- not over-the-top and theatrical. Her scene in the dressing room before LOSE THAT LONG FACE is truly shattering ("I hate him..."). Garland, besides being a gifted songstress, was a breathtaking actress as well.
I highly recommend this DVD of A STAR IS BORN, which just happens to be one of my favorite movies, if not one of my favorite movie musicals.