I Just Saw A Star Is Born, And Now I Need Therapy

I shouldn’t have to say this (because from the title it should be inferred), but this post is basically one big ol’ gigantor ‘spoiler’, and if you proceed you are doing so at your own risk. Literally, all I’m going to do is spoil spoil spoil A Star is Born, because that movie ripped my freaking heart out and now I need a hug, a snuggly blanket, and long-term, expensive therapy. You have been warned.

I Just Saw A Star Is Born, And Now I Need Therapy

To begin, I never saw the previous incarnations of A Star is Born. In fact, until last night I had no idea there were so many versions of it. I knew about the Babs version, but because of bad Yentl memories (namely, my mother watched it over and over again when I was a kid), I’d been firmly on team no-Babs for my entire adult life. And, sure, I do realize Babs has been in a lot more than Yentl and I shouldn’t have based my entire knowledge of her on that one movie, but I did, so even though friends told me to watch it before going to see the newest one, I totally didn’t do that.

The only things I knew about the newest version, starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, came from the amazing trailer, and the beautifully romantic sounding blurb.

In this new take on the tragic love story, Cooper plays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers—and falls in love with—struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer… until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons. –warnerbros.com

As a romance author, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a romantic movie that truly moved me, but since the trailer itself made me swoon, and the blurb sounded like something right out of one of my favorite novels, I was like, “Let’s go!”

First, I went by myself. I hadn’t seen any of the previous incarnations, so I didn’t realize I needed an emotional support person/animal/stuffed teddy bear before headed into the theater. I was excited, and happy, and ready to hear some beautiful music and fall into the depths of Bradley Cooper’s amazing blue eyes. And boy did this movie deliver. From the first sounds of guitar as the lights went down, my heart started to pump and I felt drawn into the story about to be told. I expected slow, soulful Country music from the character Jackson Maine (played by Bradley Cooper), and instead found myself immersed in guitar jamming, base dropping Rock Country that was so amazing that I actually bought the soundtrack the same night.

From the moment Jack first sees Ally (Lady Gaga) singing on stage, it’s love at first sight. For him, at least. She thinks he’s awesome, but an alcoholic, and she thinks she’s too ugly for anyone to see who she really is. When he asks her if she’s just a singer, or if she writes songs, too, she admits that she never shares her songs because people don’t want to see her. Her nose is too big, and she won’t make it. Jack not proceeds to tell her just how beautiful she is, but also that her nose is perfect and that he wants to touch it.

I’ve never been so turned on in my life watching someone touch another person’s nose, but ohholymotherofgod that was hot. And it just got hotter from their. The entire first half of the movie is this melodic love fest between Jack and Ally that will leave you laughing and lusting after their relationship.

Then the truth comes out: Yes, Jack’s an alcoholic, but he can’t seem to control it. And even as Ally is coming into her own musically, Jack is losing his steps, and his hearing. The two seem to teeter on a precipice of love and anger as their relationship turns from lust to love and while Jack wants the best for Ally, her success drives home the fact that his own career is ending far sooner than he would have liked.

After a stint in rehab revitalizes Jack’s love of songwriting, and renews his drive toward sobriety, reality crashes down one last time when he realizes Ally plans to give up her entire career to be with him – and he won’t let her. The truth is, Ally would have been happy to live out her entire life as Jack’s wife, and nothing more. No glamor, no career, no music, but Jack knows a talent like Ally is rare and holding her back from her destiny would be cruel.

So he kills himself.

My. Heart. Broke.

Right then and there, as he was leading up to it, and as it happened, my heart shattered into a million pieces and I sobbed into my already tear-stained sleeve and probably even yelled at the screen a little, I don’t remember – there’s a chance I blacked out.

What I do remember is Jack’s brother talking to Ally after. He told her it wasn’t her fault. That Jack made this decision on his own, that no one was responsible for his death except for Jack. And that’s exactly what Ally, and I, needed to hear.

This movie is so incredibly well done, and emotional that I hope it wins every possible award. The soundtrack alone should win awards for just how incredible it is (and trust me – you need to just go ahead and buy it). I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to watch this movie again, and in the same breath I want to watch it again right now – it was just that good.

If you haven’t seen it yet, sorry for the spoilers. If you have, please leave your reaction in the comments below, or on my Facebook Page. I can’t wait to hear from you!