A Star Is Born is a pleasant surprise

Because I’m old enough to remember the embarrassingly bad 1976 Barbra Streisand/Kris Kristofferson version of A Star Is Born, I was in no particular hurry to see the new one. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised when I went to see it on Saturday with Val Cavalini.

Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) and Bradley Cooper have great screen chemistry as the two star-crossed lovers and the soundtrack is great.

Sure, it’s a schlocky cliched love story, but in these days of hate-filled world leaders, acts of terrorism and Fascist creep, it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours in a darkened theatre.

Oh, by the way, bring some Kleenex. It’s a real tearjerker.

Here’s the tune that’s likely to be an Oscar contender next Spring.