Whether you're her biggest fan of ten years or just someone who only knows of her infamous "meat dress," you have most definitely heard of Lady Gaga before. She has taken the music industry by storm since her 2008 hit "Just Dance" released and has certainly made a ton of others since then. With six Grammy's under her belt along with a duet album with the legendary singer Tony Bennett, what other achievements can this "Artpop" queen think of doing next?
Combine an Oscar-nominated actor who is planning to make his directorial debut (Bradley Cooper) with a remake of one of the most adored stories in film history, and that is what Lady Gaga's latest venture entails. "A Star Is Born" is the fourth adaptation of the original film that was made over eighty years ago revolving around a male musician-alcoholic who stumbles upon a singer who is trying to make it big somehow. The man then takes her under his wing, and using his connections and own fame, catapults her into the spotlight as she makes a name for herself. The two singers ultimately fall head-over-heels in love with one another, but then things take a rocky turn when fame and alcohol mix into their passionate romance.
Not only does this movie highlight Bradley Cooper's amazing singing voice that not everyone knew he had, but it lets us see a performance from a pop star that the audience would never see coming. Gaga ditches the crazy outfits and brightly colored hair for a completely natural look that almost makes her unrecognizable. This look gives her character- Ally- a very down-to-earth feel, ultimately making her a likable one. Gaga's singing chops never disappoint throughout the film, either, and her acting doesn't fail to match it. There's one scene where Ally sings on stage with Cooper's character for the first time and she shows every emotion she's feeling throughout the whole performance; I think this scene alone even makes Gaga-worthy for an Oscar nomination.
It is no new news to me that this woman is talented, though. Lady Gaga's real name is actually Stefani Germanotta, and she has had years of experience with music prior to making it big. As alumni of a music school in NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and her musical training from a young age, Gaga definitely proves herself talented. Her unbelievable range and skills on the piano (and now her acting abilities), however, are what make her gifted.
Personally, I have always loved Gaga- even during the "Bad Romance" days. No matter how crazy people deemed her for her outfit choices or intense music videos, I never shied away from blasting her music in my room and singing along. Particularly when she started singing jazz music with Bennett a few years ago, I was in total awe at how vocally amazing she is and gained even more appreciation for her. It even makes me legitimately annoyed when people don't think she is talented; because even when you take away her designer outfits and millions of dollars, she still has this unbelievably amazing voice. And frankly, this isn't true for every artist who has made it big.
Of course, the movie has some flaws here and there (speaking from an amateur film critic myself), but "A Star Is Born" is definitely a must see in my book: not only for the performances but for the message it displays. It really highlights how music is so magical that it connects even strangers. It can be the foundation of the greatest relationships in life and makes the ones that have passed still live on. Without Gaga's effortless skill to show her emotion while singing, this movie honestly could have turned out a lot different.
I'd like to think that Ally represents the Stefani behind the Gaga persona since we get to see an authentic and real side of this legendary artist we all seem to think we know so well. Granted, Ally might not have the exact same qualities of Stefani's qualities, but it allows fans and bystanders see who the woman is behind all the makeup and crazy costumes, and may even gain some approval with it. Perhaps Lady Gaga isn't the alter-ego of this legendary artist, but that these two personas of the famous songstress (now proven triple-threat) make-up the true Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
