I was fully expecting to dislike this version of A Star Is Born, since I'd already seen the 1954 version and loved it. I'd also already seen the 1937 original, and while it wasn't as good as the remake, I still appreciated it. My mom said she couldn't stand the 1976 version, and we usually have pretty similar taste, especially when it comes to musicals. Surprise, surprise, I loved it.The reason I was able to enjoy A Star Is Born so much is because I pretended it was a completely different movie. If you've seen either of the two earlier versions and expect a traditional remake, you'll probably hate it. John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion, and Frank Pierson may have based their concept on a previous story, but they've written a completely different script. So, for the purpose of telling you my thoughts on the film, I won't compare it at all to the Judy Garland version.Kris Kristofferson might be the only person in the world who can pull off a bearded, '70s look while still coming across as hygienic. It doesn't make sense that I think he's wildly attractive, since I usually hate that look, but I was in heaven with the amount of eye candy in this movie. Perfectly cast as a popular rock star, he starts the movie past his peak. He drinks, snorts cocaine, forgets his lyrics onstage, and performs outrageous, life-threatening stunts. He chances upon Barbra Streisand singing in a nightclub and is so impressed with her talent, he propels her to stardom. And of course, they fall in love.I really am surprised by how much I liked this movie, since so much of it isn't usually my cup of tea. The 1970s isn't my favorite decade, and I usually find the clothes and hairstyles irritating. With exception to two of the plentiful songs in the movie, I didn't really like the music. Barbra Streisand's character has plenty of bite to her, which I don't usually find sympathetic. Somehow, putting all the elements together worked beautifully. Somehow, it made total sense that Barbra gave Kris attitude when they were first getting to know each other. I won't be buying the soundtrack, but Barbra's vocal talent was extremely impressive; it was very understandable that audiences in the film were wowed by her. Both leads put their whole hearts into their performances, and even though this was the third time I'd seen the story, I still cried during each of their "big scenes". If you know the story, you know which ones they are. I'd always thought of Kris as just a good-looking singer, but I was surprised by how much dramatics he poured into his scenes. Barbra is always a good performer, and in her romantic one-on-one scenes, she's tender and vulnerable. She's been paired up with a very long list of good-looking leading men-Robert Redford, Ryan O'Neal, Jeff Bridges, Omar Sharif, Nick Nolte, and young Mandy Patinkin-and I've never seen her with greater, sweeter, lovelier chemistry than with Kris Kristofferson. The way they look at each other is so beautiful, like how Jack Carson looked at Doris Day in Romance on the High Seas. If you like the Oscar-winning song "Evergreen", you'll love the scene in the movie when they sing it together.My advice is to either watch this version first or forget you've seen any other version when you rent it. He's gorgeous, she's in her perm-prime, and if you like '70s rock, you'll really love it.

I had to search high and low till I found some definitive info about the Bradley Cooper / Lady Gaga remake, and that plot is basically closest to this film, but with country music instead of rock and pop. So I decided to give this film another look, and I was glad I did.Initially, I had hated this movie, and that had to be because I was too familiar with both stars' music and personas, and I, like a lot of others, distanced myself from the characters and the story, and could not give the film a chance.But something strange happened when I watched it again, with a distance of many years, and with the two stars having passed into legend status and not so ubiquitous or familiar now...I actually bought into the story ( for the most part - sorry, but no way a crowd waiting to see a beloved hard rock band is going to sit still for any lounge act shtick, much less cheer for it ), I believed the two admired each other's talents, I believed they worked together on music, I believed they loved each other ( yes, some of the love scenes are cringe-worthy, but now only because watching any couple being extra lovey-dovey is basically cringe-worthy ), I enjoyed looking at the hair and clothing ( although most of it was outdated even for that time period ), and I actually teared up at the end (!?, yep, I did ).So, due to the fact that this film is now just as dated as the other three, it is now just as enjoyable, and I advise giving it another chance.

Co-Written and directed by Frank Pierson, this 1976 remake of "A Star is Born" starred Barbra Streisand back when she was at the pinnacle of her singing and acting career, it was however it was complex in pulling off the magic of the old 1937 version that starred Janet Gaynor and Frederic March or the the old 1954 version starring Judy Garland and James Mason. In many ways like Gaynor and Garland, Streisand was also very labouring to work with on the set due to her heavy demands and her perfectionist ways. For some not so surprising evidence, Babs had her legions of loyal fans while by way of contrast, she also has her equal share of critics who are more than happy to verbally inject their disdain towards her. Some of the quips bestowed upon her are quite witty in their analogy as claiming this movie to be renamed "A Bore is Born".But in spite of who stars in this movie, it was quite a refreshing spin of an old classic to relocate the scenario as the focus is not on Hollywood actors but on rock-and-roll performers. Just like the other two films it's based on, the storytelling is equally poignant. Sure it may not be for everyone, but it still exceeds Streisand's 1973 film "The Way We Were". It had some appeal to the fans as it grossed over $80 million which was the third highest grossing picture of that year.Falling in the routine of its predecessors in terms of the plot, we see Streisand starring as Esther Hoffman breaking into a career in show business. She meets and befriends and falls in love with a veteran rock musician who as her career is flourishing, his career is plummeting. Streisand was the right choice for this role and her pairing with Kris Kristofferson gives it the right kind of chemistry as he's quite effective as the self-loathing, inebriated loser named John Norman Howard. And though it is a thankless performance playing a musician who's given up on hope, Kristofferson plays is very gracefully.The songs that feature Streisand on lead vocals are both riveting, vibrant and will surely lift your spirits. She handled the song she sung "Evergreen" which she co-wrote with Paul Williams with such power, that she won an Oscar for Best Song and her wonderful voice will surely appease nicely to her legions of fans. Ecstatically, this song was recorded in one take and Streisand nailed it with absolute perfection. Like the character Esther Hoffman who won a Grammy, Streisand went on to win both a Grammy and and Oscar for the song "Evergreen". In addition to that, Robert Surtees was nominated for an Oscar winner for Best Cinematography. Robert Knudson, Dan Wallin, Robert Glass and Tom Overton were nominated for Best Sound and Roger Kellaway was nominated for Best Original Score.For all the cynics out there, the inspiration of this remarkable film should be informed that there is going to be a new remake of "A Star is Born" which will be launched next year and starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, indicating that if it wasn't for this version starring Streisand and Kristofferson. Will it exceeds the viewer's expectations? Only time will tell. This remake is still inferior to the Judy Garland and James Mason version, but it's still a good watch.A great shout to the supporting performers including Gary Busey as Bobby Ritchie, Paul Mazursky as Brian Wexler, Sally Kirkland as a photographer, Robert Englund as Marty, Venetta Fields and Clydie King are Hoffman's backup vocalists, The Oreos, plus brief appearances by Kristofferson's then wife Rita Coolidge and Tony Orlando as themselves.When it came to film "A Star is Born", it was a very rocky road indeed. There was claims that the egocentric Streisand directed some scenes for herself much to the chagrin of director Pierson with rumours floating about that Babs and Pierson conflicted with each other many times on set, even with Pierson stating his experience was horrendous. Kristofferson almost came close to quitting movies after making this film claiming co-starring with Streisand was a labouring experience.The soundtrack was a big success as it sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. and was a chart topper for six weeks in a row and 15 million copies worldwide.Streisand originally didn't have Kristofferson in mind to play the male lead, but Elvis Presley instead or a close second Marlon Brando. The King had a keen interest in the role of John Norman Howard, but his manager Col. Tom Parker rebuffed at the idea due to her not asking him at first and wanted overwhelming demands.Still in spite of its ups and downs and trials and tribulations, it's a great watch that's filled with drama, romance, music and fun old entertainment. I recommend you all to see it.

It was beautiful and timeless. Whether Streisand Fan or not, the chemistry was perfect and they both did a great job. The music was amazing and if you want a movie that is worth taking the time to see, this is it. I have watched it many times over the years and never get sick of it. Like Love Story, you know the characters well and feel you are there with them. Like a good book that you won't want to put down. Of course, the classic The Way we were was amazing too. Streisand is an amazing artist all the way around. Many would say love stories are chick flicks...but not for those who are in love or ever have been. I still consider this a modern day love story. Everyone should have this love once in a lifetime. Other titles you would love if you like this one or others I have mentioned in this review are, Out of Africa with Meryl Streep and Bridges over Madison county with Streep and Eastwood. Finally an unlikely love story that was very entertaining is Mr. & Mrs, Smith of course. I love stories that have many emotions and make me believe..again.