Review of A Star Is Born (1954) by Lewis P — 23 Jun 2010

Gay icon Judy Garland brings her considerable vocal talent to A Star is Born. a story of the rise and fall of actors in the cold, cruel world of Hollywood. The film itself is rather like the actor's rise and fall: it starts off full of wide-eyed optimism and ends on a cynical, embittered note.

Garland plays Esther Blodgett, a young singer whose emotive vocal style strikes the fancy of Norman Maine (James Mason), a successful movie star who, despite his alcohol-fueled offstage shenanigans, is well-connected in Hollywood and offers to give Esther her big break.

There are all-too-real scenes of struggle as Esther must either quit her position in an act she's worked so hard to estabilish or miss her opportunity to fulfill her lifelong dream. It's a gamble that pays off, and soon Esther (now known as Vicki Lester) begins a meteoric rise to fame (and Norman a sad descent into defeat).

Obviously, one of the focal points of this film is Judy Garland's talent as a singer, and a few of the numbers in this film showcase that talent in a way not many of her other films have. James Mason is, as always, excellent, and Jack Carson also gives a great performance in his supporting role (as Norman Maine's studio P.

R. man). Show business is a brutal industry, and the casualties are many, including Judy Garland herself. A Star is Born doesn't sugarcoat the price of success in this field of vanity and self-promotion.

Norman forces Esther to look at herself and her talent, and to take what she deserves from the world. It's not a world or career for the meek and humble. By the way, I saw the "restored" version of this film on TCM, and I have to say the restoration does not impress me.

Apparently the original film has been destroyed, but the soundtrack remains, so we have scenes where the actors are reciting their lines as still photos are flashed on the screen. This may restore the narrative, but it jars one out of the cinematic experience.

I can only recommend the restored version for the diehard fans who've already seen it.