A Star Is Born

As the curtain opens on "A Star is Born", we're introduced to Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), a rockstar with a penchant for self-medication, as he prepares to take the stage for a packed audience. But before he can command their attention, he needs a little boost - a few strategically taken pills that help him find his voice. And what a voice it is! He belts out "Black Eyes" to a crowd that's utterly entranced.

Meanwhile, Ally (Lady Gaga) is a talented songwriter trying to make ends meet at a catering hall, where she's constantly belittled by her boss Bryan (Jacob Schick). It's clear that this creative soul has more in store for herself than just serving up mediocre hors d'oeuvres. After clocking out and hitting the pavement, Ally finds solace in singing to herself - it's a moment of pure joy that hints at the greatness to come.

Later that night, Jack's driver Phil (Greg Grunberg) whisks him away to a local watering hole, where he stumbles upon a drag bar and meets up with Ramon (Anthony Ramos), Ally's friend. As they sip on drinks, Ally takes the stage, her voice soaring through the night air as she performs "La Vie en Rose". It's a moment that moves Jack to tears - a testament to the power of music to transcend even the most hardened of souls.

After the show, Jack invites Ally back to his place for a drink, but not before he takes the stage himself and serenades one of the drag queens with a heartfelt tune. As they drive off into the night, Jack charms Ally with his rough-around-the-edges charm and tells her that she's more than just her face - that she's got beauty to spare. But their budding connection is put to the test when an off-duty cop decides to harass Jack for a photo, prompting Ally to take matters into her own hands and punch the guy in the face.

Undeterred by the chaos, Jack takes Ally to a local grocery store to pick up some frozen peas for her battered hand. As they browse the aisles, Ally breaks out into song, belting out "Shallow" with all the passion and conviction at her disposal. It's a moment that speaks volumes about her talent - and about the connection she's forging with this rockstar.

Later, Jack invites Ally to join him for one of his shows, but she declines, opting instead to head back to her humble abode and her father Lorenzo (Andrew Dice Clay) and his crew of driving service cohorts. As she slips away into the night, it's clear that Ally is on the cusp of something big - and that Jack is ready to ride shotgun on this wild ride.

As the evening unfolds, Phil (no actor name provided) arrives at Ally's abode, eager to whisk her away to Jack's show. However, Ally is resolute in her decision to forego the outing, insisting that work beckons. Her frustration with Bryan's scathing critique of her tardiness reaches a boiling point, prompting her to make a bold declaration: she quits on the spot, accompanied by Ramon in tow. This impulsive move sends them hurtling towards Jack's performance, where he regales the audience with one of his signature hits, "Maybe It's Time". The crowd is entranced, and videos of their duet swiftly spread like wildfire, rendering Ally an overnight sensation.

As the night wears on, Jack invites a hesitant Ally onto the stage to join him in a rousing rendition of "Shallow", captivating the audience with their harmonious blend. The post-performance celebration finds Jack retreating to his hotel suite for some much-needed alone time. However, his evening takes a turn when he becomes incapacitated by intoxication, necessitating Bobby's (Sam Elliott) intervention. As Ally witnesses this spectacle, Bobby imparts words of wisdom, cautioning her to be mindful of Jack's unpredictable nature.

As their relationship blossoms, Ally finds herself integrating seamlessly into Jack's tour schedule, and they begin to form a bond that transcends the stage. When Jack attempts to transport Ally to a rural retreat he purchased for Bobby, only to discover it's been sold, his ire is piqued. His subsequent confrontation with Bobby culminates in a physical altercation, with Jack punching his older brother in a fit of rage. The aftermath finds Bobby tenderly explaining that their father's influence had instigated Jack's reliance on alcohol, and that his body had been swept away by the storm, leaving Jack feeling betrayed.

Bobby subsequently disengages from his role as Jack's manager, leaving Ally to navigate the complexities of her partner's tumultuous life. As she becomes an ascending star in the music industry, Ally and Jack's living arrangement evolves to include a canine companion named Charlie. During one of her shows, Ally makes the bold decision to eschew her dancers' involvement, sparking discontent from Rez Gavron (Rafi Gavron), a record producer keen on signing her to his label. His suggestions – including dyeing her hair blonde – are met with resistance by Ally, who ultimately settles on a fiery red hue as she forges her path in the spotlight.

As Jack's promises begin to unravel, he finds himself face-down on George "Noodles" Stone's (Dave Chappelle) porch, a victim of his own reckless indulgence. Noodles' hospitality provides a gentle wake-up call, and Jack stumbles into an impromptu dinner with his friend's family. Later, Ally arrives at the scene, her patience and understanding tempering the sting of his absence. In a poignant display of devotion, Jack retreats to craft a makeshift ring from guitar string, then seizes the opportunity to propose to Ally amidst the warm company of their friends. Noodles' suggestion to tie the knot on the same day becomes a reality, with their intimate gathering serving as the perfect backdrop for their union.

As Ally's star continues its meteoric ascent, Jack's struggles with substance abuse remain shrouded in secrecy. When Rez secures her spot as the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," hosting sensation Alec Baldwin welcomes her to the stage. Her performance of the poignant new song, "Why Did You Do That?," serves as a testament to her talent and resilience.

However, the tranquility is short-lived, as Bobby's arrival marks the beginning of a tumultuous reconciliation between the two. Later, Jack's inebriated outbursts reach a fever pitch while Ally is indulging in a relaxing bath. His cruel words, laced with venomous insults, cut deep, prompting Ally to dispatch him from her presence.

The Grammy Awards bring both triumph and turmoil into their lives. Ally's nomination for Best New Artist, along with two other categories, serves as a testament to her artistic prowess. Jack, meanwhile, finds himself booked for a Roy Orbison tribute act featuring a young artist. His performance of "Pretty Woman" is a poignant reminder of his former glory, despite the obvious signs of intoxication.

As Ally accepts the award for Best New Artist, Halsey's announcement brings tears of joy to her eyes. However, Jack's inebriated stumble onto the stage serves as a stark contrast, his debasement culminating in an embarrassing display that leaves him sprawled on the floor. Lorenzo and his friends intervene, their rebuke echoing through the bathroom as Ally stays by Jack's side, her devotion unwavering even in the face of his destructive tendencies.

As Jack's addiction continues to spiral out of control, he eventually finds himself enrolled in a rehabilitation program and attending AA meetings, where he's forced to confront the devastating consequences of his actions. When Ally visits him during this tumultuous period, Jack breaks down in tears, apologizing profusely for his transgressions and expressing deep regret for the pain he's caused her.

In a poignant moment, Ally attempts to persuade Rez that Jack should join her on tour, but he firmly rebuffs the idea, insisting that it would be unwise for Jack to re-enter her life given his ongoing struggles. Ally, however, is determined to make amends and suggests canceling the tour altogether so they can spend the summer together. Jack, desperate to prove himself, promises to attend her final concert.

But tragedy strikes when Ally shows up to her show without Jack, only to find him instead in a state of despair at home. Having succumbed to his addiction once more, he's taken a fatal dose of pills and retreated to his garage with Charlie by his side. As the news of Jack's passing spreads, Ally is consumed by grief, spending days holed up alone as she grapples with the weight of her loss.

Eventually, Ally hits rock bottom, shattering framed posters in a cathartic outburst of anger and despair. It's then that Bobby steps in, offering words of comfort and solace, reminding Ally that Jack's death was ultimately his own doing – not hers. The sting of regret still lingers, however, as Ally is reminded of the final lie she told him before he passed away.

In a poignant tribute to their complicated relationship, Ally performs at a memorial service for Jack, belting out a powerful rendition of "I'll Never Love Again" – a song written by Jack but never sung publicly. As she sings, a montage of fond memories plays out on screen, culminating in a haunting video clip of Jack singing the final notes of the song himself, exclusively for Ally.