A Star is Born

Author: Stephen
Location: Hartford, CT

"A Star is Born"

Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by: Bill Condon (based on the 1954 film "A Star Is Born")
Original Score by: John Williams
Selected Songs by: Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin

Principal Cast:

Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester: Toni Collette
Norman Maine: Clive Owen
Matt Libby: Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Danny Maguire: Jake Gyllenhaal
Oliver Niles: Ben Kingsley

Tagline:
"What would you do for love?"

Synopsis: Based on the classic 1954 film of the same name, Oscar winning director Ang Lee tackles a new medium with this ambitious story of Hollywood and its stars and victims. Set in 1950's Los Angeles, Toni Collette takes the lead as Esther Blodgett, a struggling actress cum singer. Clive Owen plays Norman Maine, the Hollywood star who gives Esther her big break. The relationship is at first one of admiration and friendship but soon grows into romance. Tensions increase as Esther's star grows brighter as Norman's starts to flicker. Written by the Oscar nominated Bill Condon, of Dreamgirls and Chicago fame, this film is destined to walk the same path as it's predecessor, that of becoming a Hollywood classic.

What the Press Would Say:

In what was perceived for months to be a likely flop, with multiple directors and several cast changes, Ang Lee has proven himself a true auteur and chameleon taking on an ambitious movie musical that takes place in 1950's Hollywood. Based on the 1954 film with Judy Garland, Lee had some large shoes to fill and once again comes out shining. Toni Collette and Clive Owen star and their chances of Oscar gold seem definite as Collette proves herself an actress who can headline. Her voice is also pleasantly melodic. Clive Owen matches as a former movie idol who turns to the bottle. Can this movie come home with more Oscars than the original? That remains to be seen, but one thing stands clear. This film will stand as one of the great Hollywood love stories.

Oscar Prospects:
Best Picture
Best Director: Ang Lee
Best Actor: Clive Owen
Best Actress: Toni Collette
Best Supporting Actor: Jake Gyllenhaal
Best Adapted Screenplay: Bill Condon
As well as many technical awards.