Drunken, has-been rock star John Norman Howard falls in love with unknown singer Esther Hoffman after seeing her perform at a club. He lets her sing a few songs at one of his shows and she becomes the talk of the music industry. Esther's star begins to rise, while John's continues to fall. She tries desperately to get John to sober up and focus on his music, but it may be too late to save him.
Barbra Streisand
Esther Hoffman
Kris Kristofferson
John Norman Howard
Gary Busey
Bobbie Ritchie
Oliver Clark
Gary Danziger
Venetta Fields
The Oreos
Clydie King
The Oreos
Marta Heflin
Quentin
M.G. Kelly
Bebe Jesus
Sally Kirkland
Photographer
Joanne Linville
Freddie
Uncle Rudy
Mo
Paul Mazursky
Brian
Stephen Bruton
The Speedway
Sammy Lee Creason
The Speedway
Cleve Dupin
The Speedway
Donnie Fritts
The Speedway
Dean Hagen
The Speedway
Booker T. Jones
The Speedway
Jerry McGee
The Speedway
Art Munson
The Speedway
Charles Owens
The Speedway
Terry Paul
The Speedway
Jack Redmond
The Speedway
Bobby Shew
The Speedway
Mike Utley
The Speedway
Bill Graham
Self
Rita Coolidge
Self
Tony Orlando
Self
Aesop Aquarian
Recording Engineer (uncredited)
Jeffery J. Boggs
Ambulance Attendant (uncredited)
Brent Carpenter
Man (uncredited)
Robert Englund
Marty (uncredited)
Sandy Helberg
Kevin (uncredited)
Cynthia Hoppenfeld
Hostess (uncredited)
Roslyn Kind
Table Guest at the Grammy Awards (uncredited)
Maidie Norman
Justice of the Peace (uncredited)
Neil Norman
Record Producer (uncredited)
Susan Richardson
Groupie in a Limousine (uncredited)
David Welsh
Reporter (uncredited)
Director, Screenplay
Frank Pierson
Screenplay
Joan Didion
Screenplay
John Gregory Dunne
Story
William A. Wellman
Story
Robert Carson
December 19, 2020
6
_**Well done 70’s 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 former’s manager.
"A Star is Born" (1976) is a drama/romance/musical focusing on the 70’s rock star lifestyle, which differentiates it from the two classic versions from 1937 and 1954. It’s 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, Lindsey Buckingham in the 70s. He’s not the best singer but, then again, Bob Dylan wasn’t either (of course, he’s still alive as of this writing).
Meanwhile Barbra never looked better, especially in her white Superman outfit in the desert. She’s a great singer, but none of the songs in the movie stir me much. At least Cher had great songs in the 70s, not to mention Fleetwood Mac. That’s what this movie needs, better songs, especially since so much time is devoted to Barbra performing. At the same time, the songs are certainly serviceable.
The best part of the movie, for me, is the dynamic opening act. It then bogs down with the love story, but I appreciated the unexpected desert sequences. The ending is, um, I can’t give it away.
The film runs 2 hours, 19 minutes, and was shot in Arizona and Warner Brothers Studios, Burbank, California.
GRADE: B-/B
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$6,000,000.00
Revenue:
$80,000,000.00