Most of the time it is very hard to make a successful remake, especially if said movie has been remade four times. Fans will claim the remake is stripping the original and that Hollywood is too lazy to come up with new ideas. One of the few exceptions to this rule is this year’s “A Star Is Born.”

“A Star Is Born,” directed by Bradley Cooper, tells the story of a hardened country singer Jackson Maine, played by Cooper, and the rising star Ally Campana, played by Lady Gaga.

The two have a chance encounter at a drag bar one night where Ally is performing the old school hit “La Vie en Rose.” Jackson, or Jack as he is referred to, is immediately captivated by her voice.

After sharing a song that she is writing, Jack invites her up on stage with him to perform her song, and before our very eyes, a star is literally born.

As Ally’s fame starts to bloom, other issues start to arise. Jack has a difficult relationship with his brother, and is still dealing with the ghosts of his past in the form of an absentee father, or as Jack refers to him, his “drinking buddy.”

The couple must deal with certain pressures that come with fame, notably Jack’s worsening alcohol and drug dependency, and Ally’s fame that threatens to overshadow Jack’s.

Though the movie is one of four remakes, starting with one in 1937, the film still maintains a fresh feel to it. The story is nothing original, yet it still manages to pack a punch. Take it from this writer, who spent the last 20 minutes sobbing in her seat.

One of the best things about this movie is the incredible soundtrack that accompanies the film. If you haven’t heard “Shallow,” the main song featured in the original trailer, do yourself a favor, grab some tissues and sit down to listen to it.

Critics are praising both performances from Cooper and Gaga. Gaga is unlike anything the public has ever seen. She is stripped of makeup, her outrageous costumes and viewers will most certainly feel like they are watching a whole new person. She is simply, without a doubt, marvelous.

Cooper is not overshadowed and delivers a knockout performance in his own right. Seeing him struggle with alcoholism and prescription drug abuse will most certainly move most people to tears.

The cinematography is also gorgeous– from the Arizona desert to the packed stadium crowds when Gaga herself was headlining Coachella. The bright lights of Ally’s own performances also offer a nice contrast to Jack’s simple, yet authentic performances.

If you are a fan of the struggling artist trope, or of watching two people fall organically in love while dealing with hardships then this is definitely the movie for you. If the thought of musical numbers in movies turns you off, I still recommend that you give this a shot.

If you have anything that resembles a heart inside your body, there is no doubt that you should absolutely give this movie a chance. Don’t forget your tissues.