“A Star is Born” is a raw, emotional and well-performed rendition of a Hollywood classic.

Hailed a triumph at the Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals, A Star is Born is one of the most talked about films of the season.

Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut follows seasoned musician, Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), as he discovers a young struggling singer, Ally (Lady Gaga). The two immediately fall in love while Jackson helps her career take off. As Ally soars to success, Jackson’s alcoholism spirals out of control.

For those of you not familiar with the story, A Star is Born is a remake of a classic tale of fame and love that has starred golden greats such as Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand. That being said there were high expectations for not only the film itself but for its stars.

Rest assured, the hype is real. Cooper delivers a passionate and emotional modern musical masterpiece that pays homage to its predecessors while making the story fresh. Even though I knew how the tragic events would unfold, the finale packed a powerful punch. There was not a dry eye in my showing.

Cooper’s storytelling captures such beauty and a raw authenticity whether it be in the whirlwind of a live performance for a sold-out stadium or during the private, intimate moments between Jackosn and Ally. Cooper is an effective and masterful director and I truly hope to see him behind the camera more. Not to mention, he has an awesome singing voice.

We all know Lady Gaga can sing – but man oh man, can she act. She honestly leaves it all on the screen. From her first nerve-wracking performance singing “Shallow” (which by the way is JUST as satisfying as when you hear it in the trailer) to the beautiful final song, “I’ll Never Love Again”, we see and feel her every emotion. She knocks it out of the park.

It should be no surprise that the film’s soundtrack is phenomenal. I fully expect it to rack up a “Best Original Song” award in next year’s Academy Awards. As for the rest of the awards season, I honestly hope that this film will continue to awe and impress critics and viewers. It is the best version of A Star is Born to date. I am far from the shallows now and a full believer that this film deserves the praise and the accolades.

Final Thoughts: A Star is Born is a beautifully made revelation with incredible performances and a killer soundtrack. Go see it. Bring tissues.