Perhaps best known for its 1954 remake by George Cukor starring Judy Garland and James Mason, William A. Wellman's A Star is Born tells the story of a young actress named Esther Victoria Blodgett from North Dakota who travels to Hollywood with big dreams. At first, she encounters nothing but set-backs. But after a chance meeting and romance with Norman Maine, a once-famous actor whose career is in the toilet, she is rocketed to stardom. Esther, re-named Vicki Lester, soon marries Norman. However, Norman cannot deal with Esther's new-found fame in the face of his own wrecked career. Alcoholism takes it toll and he finally ruins everything by drunkenly interrupting Esther's Academy Award acceptance speech and hitting her. Though Esther is determined to help Norman recover, even choosing to abandon her acting career to care for him full-time, he cannot cope with his actions and commits suicide. On its own, A Star is Born is a decent film. Janet Gaynor is fantastic as Esther and Fredric March manages to depict Norman as a self-destructive man who is so undeniably charismatic that we can believe in Esther's affections for him. Lionel Stander has never been more vicious as Matt Libby, their venomous press agent. And yet, we leave the film wondering why Esther would be willing to stay with such an abusive husband. Is it because he helped her in the first place? Perhaps. But does that make up for everything he does to her? No. I can't figure Esther Victoria Blodgett out. Is she simply a good-hearted character? Or is she just some screenwriter's fantasy of an ideal woman who accepts abuse without flinching? Is she the product of melodramatic traditions or misogynist whimsy? I'm not sure. Perhaps this is a question best left to someone smarter than me.
7/10
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