A Star Is Born

Well done 70s rock lifestyle film, but needs better songs

A big time rock star is self-destructing on the lifestyle (Kris Kristofferson) when he inadvertently meets a talented smalltime singer (Barbra Streisand) and becomes her golden connection to stardom. Gary Busey is on hand as the formers manager.

"A Star is Born" (1976) is a drama/romance/musical focusing on the 70s rock star lifestyle, which differentiates it from the two classic versions from 1937 and 1954. Its similar to the later The Rose (1979), but I prefer this one. Oh, God! You Devil (1984) is another good comparison, despite the paranormal elements, and I slightly prefer that one.

Kris Kristofferson is effective as the stud rock star in the manner of, say...

If you are a fan of Barbra Streisand then you will enjoy this third iteration of the classic rags-to-riches story. In this version, Kris Kristofferson is the coke-fuelled rock star whose career seems to be very much on the wain after a series of bad reviews and bad behaviour... One night he stumbles across a small bar where a band "the Oreos" are playing. He effectively trashes their set much to the chagrin of Streisand. He does, however, rate her voice and after a wobbly start sets her on the road to stardom. What sets this apart from the earlier films is that there is much more music - and the soundtrack that produced "Evergreen" and "Lost Inside of You"; whilst not quite "The Man that Got Away" provides an amiable substitute for some pre...