A Star is Born

Starring: Janet Gaynor, Fredric March, Adolphe Menjou, May Robson, Andy Devine, Owen Moore
Directed by: William A. Wellman
Rating: Passed
Genre: Drama
1937

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A young woman (Janet Gaynor) comes to Hollywood to fulfill her dream of becoming a star. She falls in love with an alcoholic, fading movie star (Fredric March).

Review:

Tim: I enjoyed 1937's A Star is Born, but there's certainly nothing to suspect that this film would be remade 4 times (with 2018 being the latest version). I thought it was a solid movie about Hollywood and the ups and downs of those dreaming souls who seek fame and fortune there. I didn't love the movie, but it was sufficiently entertaining. This is a movie worth watching.

The film starts as many Hollywood tales begin- with a young girl who dreams of stardom. Most of her family scoffs at this dream, but she has a supportive grandmother who assists her in traveling to California. There, she is met with constant rejection as she competes with thousands of other Hollywood hopefuls. A chance encounter with a has-been movie star changes the trajectory of her life. She soon discovers fame beyond her wildest dreams, but it comes at a hefty price. The story as a whole is a valid one about chasing dreams and how our dreams aren't always what we imagine them to be.

The movie is helped by a strong performance by Janet Gaynor. I believe this is the first film of hers I've seen. She projects that Midwestern innocence that helps her character become a star. Her performance is really good- she seems innocent enough to be believable in the early stages of the film, but certainly matures as the film progresses. She shows a decent amount of range pulling this character off. I also enjoyed the performance of Fredric March. I've seen March in a number of films, but it was hard to recognize him here. He does a fairly good job of portraying this alcoholic, washed up actor. There were a few times when his performance slipped into overacting, but for the most part, he works in the role. The supporting cast work well and there are a few standout performances in the supporting ranks.

Now, while the movie had a number of flaws, the script was a solid one. There's some great dialogue in the film and the banter between various characters really elevates the film. It's not a surprise that the film won Best Original Story at the Academy Awards (the only win). The story is definitely strong. I was a little surprised the film was nominated for a total of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress. The movie didn't feel quite that good to me. The film did win an Honorary Oscar for its color photography, but I'm not very interested in honorary Oscars.

Part of the reason I didn't enjoy the film more is that I didn't find the characters especially compelling. Gaynor is good, but I never developed a deep emotional connection with her. I was interested in story, but I was never fully invested. Likewise, March gives a strong performance, but I needed more of a reason to care about his alcoholic actor. He does some pretty awful things in the movie, but those just rolled off me- I didn't really care about his flawed character, so why did it matter whether he was in rehab or relapsing?

While I can't claim to have loved A Star is Born, I recognize that director William A. Wellman does a lot right with this film. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at both the glamorous side of Hollywood, as well as the darker underbelly. This is an effective movie and one I'm glad I watched.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: What Price Hollywood?