A Star Is Born
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Movie Reviews of A Star Is Born
Movie Review: HELLO, THIS IS MRS. NORMAN MAINE!
Summary: 5 Stars
There are many famous "One Liners", but this is one of the best. I was delighted when the movie is extended to get the full flavor of the film. I have viewed this movie and each time, I get more into the film. Forget the problems that plagued the production of the movie, or personal problems that Ms Garland had, but give praise to the movie stars, Judy Garland, James Mason, Charles Bickford, and Jack Carson. Charles Bickford was memorable in his role as the studio owner, who knew Norman Maine as no other person could. What a friend!! How many of us have friends who would stand beside us as strongly in life and death? The dynamics between Garland and Mason is for me electric. One star who is on his way out, finds a star and brings her too life is truly the one good thing he does before he dies. Her love for him regardless his drinking problem, shows the depth of her love to take him for better or worse, and believe me it did get worse; but she never failed or faultered in her love for him. She was even willing to give up her career when she had just won the Oscar for Best Actress, but in his death, he released her to continue her career; but it took her good friend Danny, to bring her to her senses, to remind her not to let his death be in vain. Each time I hear Judy Garland sing "The Man That Got Away, sends chivers through me. That magnificant voice crowns her as one of the great performers of her time. Her musical numbers are classics as well. But I will always remember how at the very end she stood proudly and said, " Good evening, this is Mrs. Norman Maine"!Movie Review: Judy Garland's Most Heartwrenching Performance
Summary: 5 Stars
It is incessantly difficult for me to put into words how this film moves me. But here's trying:
Judy Garland's rendition of "The Man Who Got Away" bring me to tears each time I hear it. Although Judy has sung many songs that make a movie, I believe none are as filled with passion and expression like this one. When she sings, you can hear the heartbreak in her voice. It sends shivers down my spine, and breaks my heart just a little bit more with each note. Many others have sung the song well, but none as truly great as Judy.
Judy delivers her most intense performance as Esther Blodgett. While she is working her way up into superstardom, she falls in love with Norman Maine, a Hollywood mogul and destructive alcoholic. Without giving away too much of the plot, Norman finds it difficult to deal with Esther's fame and his alcoholism runs rampant. Esther tries her best to be there for her husband and truly believes that she can help and save him (typical good-girl drawn to bad-boy syndrome).
This is a real look at how Hollywood affects people's lives. Hollywood rarely has any successful, faithful couples, and many people tend to lose their soul in "The Business." Ironically, Garland met a similar fate as Norman Maine due to addiction and pressures. I'm sure when filming this movie, Garland had no idea how close to real life it would be for her. This movie is a very real look at what The Machine can do to people searching for fame, trying to keep fame, and attempting to re-gain fame.
Movie Review: James Mason Is The Real Lead Character
Summary: 5 Stars
Judy Garland's character, Esther/Vicki, is too perfect a person for us to find deep resonance with her as she shoots to the top of the movie heap with the help of her husband, played by James Mason. The totally satisfying, complex character is Mason's Norman Maine. He is a formerly top movie star on his way down in the throes of alcohol and too many enemies made from his own abusive conduct in the Hollywood star system. He finds momentary surcease from his problems when he meets and marries Esther/Vicki but soon the demons bedevil him again, never to let him go. He is absolutely fabulous and I wonder that more viewers don't point to this as his absolute best film role. Garland's star turn in this film is in the many musical numbers, where she is stunning. Those numbers prevent the film from slipping into bathos, which solely focusing on Norman Maine's decline would have accomplished. I have seen both the unrestored and the restored versions of this film. This DVD is the restored one and the only version to see. The DVD also contains outtakes of the hit number, "The Man Who Got Away," which became a signature song for Garland for the rest of her life. The best version is the one put into the movie. I've often wondered what this movie would have been like had Garland taken the role she was meant to play, that of a female Norman Maine set on a course of self destruction that no one and nothing can stop. I would have loved to have seen her do that role but perhaps it was too close to reality for her to attempt it.Movie Review: JUDY! JUDY! JUDY!
Summary: 5 Stars
JUDY GARLANDS MOST MAGNIFICENT WORK! THIS IS A LABOR OF LOVE. JUDY WAS A GREAT ARTIST AT THE PINNACLE OF HER MOVIE CAREER.THIS MOVIE WAS ACTUALLY A COLLABORATION OF GREAT ARTISTS COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE A MASTERPIECE OF MOTION PICTURE GENIUS. JUDY, JAMES MASON,ALL THE SUPPORTING ACTORS, THE BRILLIANT SCORE INCLUDING THE HAUNTING "MAN THAT GOT AWAY", GEORGE CUKOR WHO WAS ADAPTING TO A WHOLE NEW WAY OF FILMING(CINEMASCOPE, I THINK THEY CALLED IT?),THE WRITERS, WARDROBE, ETC., ALL CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE A RICH AND COMPLEX MOVIE OF SUCH WIT, TENDERNESS, TRAGICALLY HEARTWRENCHING WISTFULLNESS, THAT IT SHOULD NEVER BE REMADE AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS NOT THE MOVIE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED,(THE TRUE ORIGINAL WAS SADLY BUTCHERED BY THE ELDEST WARNER BROTHER, AND ACCORDING TO GEORGE CUKOR," MARVELOUS, MARVELOUS, SCENES WERE CHOPPED OUT" AND HASTILY BURNED UP FOR THEIR SILVER CONTENT.), IT HAS BEEN RESTORED,TO A SEMBLANCE OF ITS ORIGINAL FORM. AND IT TRIUMPHS. THIS MOVIE BOOKENDS(FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ), THE CAREER OF HOLLYWOODS GREATEST MUSICAL STAR. YES, EVERYONE KNOWS SHE SHOULD OF WON THE OSCAR THAT YEAR. EVEN GRACE KELLYS FATHER FELT THAT TWO SHOULD HAVE GIVEN OUT(ONE TO MISS GARLAND). BUT HOLLYWOOD IS FICKLE AND OFTEN CRUEL. NUFF SAID. DEFINATELY GET THIS ONE, BUT IF YOUR THE HE-MAN TYPE, OR EMBARRASSED BY YOUR TEARS, WATCH THIS ONE ALONE WITH A DOZEN HANKIES. AW HECK, A GOOD CRY NEVER HURT NO ONE.Movie Review: Judy's Star Is Reborn!
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me begin this brief text by informing, you the reader, that this film is my very favorite of all. However, I shall do my best to be impartial! I just received this DVD in the mail from Amazon today....I rushed home to open the plastic and sat down for a treat. Well, let me tell you! Much more of a treat than I had anticipated! The transfer of this CinemaScope edition of the film is breathtaking. Brilliant colors and a visual that is as sharp as a pin! The audio sounds as if it were recorded two weeks ago, let alone 47 years ago.(The film began production in 1953) The DVD package includes three alternate takes of Garland's "The Man That Got Away", deleted musical sequence "When My Sugar Walks Down The Street", the complete televised Hollywood Premiere, footage from the after premiere party with Judy and Jack Warner, a newsreel covering the premiere, and theatrical trailers from the 1937, 1954 and 1976 versions of the film. There are also on-screen production notes. I have seen this film many, many times. The VHS editions all pale in contrast to this edition. Even prior laser disc can't hold up. Judy is in top form in her finest role, James Mason is perfect casting as troubled Norman Maine. The music by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin are all top notch. Treat yourself to this movie. It's classic Hollywood at it's best.