A Star Is Born

Although Frank Pierson's 1976 version of the venerable drama illuminating fame's dark side feels a bit dated today, A Star Is Born (also filmed in 1937 with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, and 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason) pretty accurately reflects the swinging ‘70s, when rock-star excesses were making the front pages of newspapers on a weekly basis. Here, former singer Kris Kristofferson, finally realizing the promise he first showed as an actor in 1971's Cisco Pike, is riveting as past-his-prime rock star John Norman Howard, who routinely blows off tour dates, raises hell, and alienates just about everybody—until he meets talented but unknown singer Esther Hoffman (Barbra Streisand), whose star begins to rise as John's continues to fall. The screenplay, by Pierson and married writers Joan Didion and the late John Gregory Dunne, attempts to mute the original story's most floridly melodramatic elements but only partially succeeds (the portrayal of a rock star's lifestyle as one long, soul-deadening parade of sex, booze, and drugs didn't shock ‘70s audiences and it certainly doesn't hold any surprises for today's viewers). The film's strength lies in the performances, not only those of Streisand and Kristofferson, but also from supporting players Paul Mazursky, Gary Busey, and Sally Kirkland. DVD extras include an audio commentary by Streisand, deleted scenes, and wardrobe tests. Recommended. (E. Hulse)[Blu-ray Review—Mar. 12, 2013—Warner, 140 min., R, $27.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1976's A Star is Born boasts a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Blu-ray extras are identical to the previous DVD release, including audio commentary by star Barbra Streisand, deleted/alternate scenes with optional commentary by Streisand (17 min.), wardrobe tests with commentary (3 min.), trailers, and a 40-page booklet. Bottom line: not the best rendition, this third version is still appealing, and has never looked better than it does here on Blu-ray.]