Watched this again on Blu-ray. What a difference a few months make on this one.Big Magilla wrote:Cooper's version doesn't reach the lofty heights of the Gaynor-March and Garland-Mason versions, but it's lightyears ahead of the Streisand-Kristofferson version. The screenplay is well written, but Cooper's line readings and whiskey-soaked singing voice take some getting used to. Lady Gaga, though, is sublime throughout. Her acting is strong and no contemporary singer can put a song across in a way that is as pleasing to fans of any and all musical genres as she can. I think it's safe to say that her Oscar nomination is in the bag, though a win may be a bit of a stretch. Cooper is likely to be nominated for both Best Actor and Best Director, but seems unlikely to win either at this juncture. As for the film's Best Picture chances, I don't really see that either. I think it will end up a strong also-ran in all categories except maybe Best Song, which if it were my call would go to "I'll Never Love Again", not "The Shallow".
I still find it better than the Streisand-Kristofferson version, but not by lightyears. I no longer think the screenplay is all that well written. It becomes tedious on second viewing. Gaga is good, but sublime is too strong an adjective to describe what she does. Her acting, though, is stronger than one would expect from a singer who acts rather than an actress who sings, and she does have a way with a song.
I still think "I'll Never Love Again" is a better song than "Shallow", but the "Shallow" scene is stronger.
At least I was right about one thing. Best Song is the only thing it is likely to win an Oscar for.