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Actors: Judy Garland, James Mason
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about A Star Is Born (1954) |
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In this movie Judy Garland plays Vicky Lester, a small time musician who meets big time film star Norman Maine, played by Jack Mason. Maine convinces Vicky, (earlier known as Ester) that she has more talent than she recognizes and that her dreams of becoming a big star are there for the taking. During the meteoric rise of Vicky Lester as an enormous musical star, Maine's acting contract is bought up and he is fired due to his constant alcoholism and miscreant activities. Vicky Lester makes tough choices and lives through hard times in the months and years to come as Maine continues to deteriorate. Finally, at his lowest point Maine commits suicide by drowning himself in the Ocean and Vicky loses the love of her life. Only by finding her own personal strength and the love inside of her is she able to survive. A masterful film, "A Star Is Born" is sure to touch the hearts of viewers for years to come.
--Ryan, Resident Scholar
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A masterpiece of direction by George Cukor, working for the first time in color and scope, this movie is a remake of the 1937 Selznick production about an alcoholic leading man who plummets to earth as his wife rises to stardom. Very effectively updated to the 1950s and far more disillusioned than its predecessor about the motion picture industry, A Star Is Born is one of the great insider movies about Hollywood--only rivaled by Sunset Boulevard--and provided Judy Garland with the best dramatic role of her career.
--Dave C, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of A Star Is Born (1954) |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1930's-1950's
Romance/Love/Hugging
Yes
Kind of romance:
- inconveniently married while playing footsy
Getting ahead in:
- entertainment world
Inner struggle or disability
Yes
Struggle with
- (General) search for meaning/identity
How much story is philosophy rather than plot?
- 2 (a little)
Job/Profession/Poverty Story?
Yes
Job:
- musician
Strong "rags to riches" component?
Yes
Ethnic/Regional/Gender story?
Yes
Woman/class/friends story?
- woman's story
- story of "the rich"
Story of city/rural life?
- Big City
Culture of surrounding area:
- American suburban
- American Pacific Coast
Druggie/Wino problems?
- alcohol
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- singer/musician
Age:
- 20's-30's
Hair color?
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn wavey
Body type
- (woman) ample bosom & buttocks
Events of movie makes character more...
- sensitive
- sad
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average build
How much in movie?
- 80%
- 90%-100%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- journalist
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 40%
Hair color
- brunette (Brown)
Hair type
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- (man) average
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- California
City?
Yes
City:
- wealthy
Misc setting
- fancy mansion
- prison
- theater
- bar
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Movie makes you feel...
- depressed/sad
- thoughtful
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- kissing
Any profanity?
- Occasional swearing
If lots of song/dance...
- lot of singing and dancing
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Broadway musical
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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