Review of A Star Is Born (1976) by Stephen M — 22 Mar 2008

Oh it is simply awful. It is simply awful. It is simply awful.

This movie came out at the height of Streisand's popularity. Only someone this popular could go from singing show tunes to singing (a watered down version of) rock and roll, starring in a sexy remake of an age old story in which two musicians meet and fall in love and f*ck and f*ck and f*ck.

But (even as a die hard Streisand fan and as someone who loved this movie when it came out, thought she was the living end, bought the movie tie in novel and played the record album until it was so scratched it couldn't be played anymore) I was always .. ALWAYS.. uncomfortable by the pretentiousness of the love scenes. They were shot so carefully as to not show how dirty and sweaty and real love and sex is. Streisand wanted it to be so lovely and pretty that it was all smoke and mirrors and that absurd bubble bath scene where she puts the makeup and eyelashes on (the clearly embarrassed) Kris Kristofferson. The entire thing is shot with the desperate air of someone who wants to be edgy, who wants to be an artist but just cannot find it inside themself to be so at peace with who they are, rather than someone who is afraid of being judged and who afraid of not being in control, as to become a ridiculous bit of sketch comedy worthy of The Gong Show.

Mind you, these opinions are coming from a lifelong Barbra Streisand fan. Remember: I loved this movie as a younger man, even recognizing that it was trite and ham fisted. I still listen to the cd (some of her best singing ever) and I still think she is beautiful when I watch the scene where they record EVERGREEN. I still get down this dvd and watch it (only I fast forward through the scenes that make me roll my eyes - mostly the love scenes, never the scenes where she is singing). The final number is gloriously sung, ridiculously (and self agrandizingly) shot, even though I see that she is doing some good acting.

And speaking of good acting.. in this horrible movie, in a thankless role, there are times when you can look at Kris Kristofferson's facial reactions and can admit, freely and clearly, that he is a very good actor.

I will reiterate: I loved this film all my life, I am a big Streisand fan, I listen to the cd, I own the poster from the film...

That being said: I would not recommend anyone see this film without a martini.