A Star Is Born: The Movie, The Actors, and Alcoholism

If you haven’t seen ‘A Star Is Born,’ (the new one with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper) I would highly recommend it! Best movie I’ve seen in a long time. But there is a very very sad theme to it: alcoholism, so be prepared. I have heard that alcoholism is one of the top reasons people get divorced and I believe it, because when someone is an alcoholic, their whole personality changes, and so you are essentially living with a person you didn’t marry. Here is my Love Essentially column about the movie, followed by an interview with a drug and alcohol counselor about alcoholism: signs, how to take action, and how to be happy again.

‘A Star Is Born’ brings attention to a hideous, heartbreaking disease

by Jackie Pilossoph for Chicago Tribune Media Group

When it comes to Lady Gaga, I’d say I’ve been lukewarm in the past. Although she’s extremely talented, there was something about her unconventional demeanor that just didn’t connect with me. Until last weekend. I went to see “A Star Is Born.” Now, I adore her.

“A Star Is Born,” which co-stars Bradley Cooper (who I’ve always adored) is the third remake of the original 1937 film produced by David O. Selznick (best known for producing “Gone With The Wind”). I have to say, the movie, which Cooper also directed, co-wrote and co-produced, did it for me big time. I had tears in my eyes — both happy and sad — from 10 minutes into it until the credits rolled at the end.

The story of a famous but faltering musician (played by Cooper) who falls in love with a struggling singer (played by Gaga) and then launches her career to stardom, “A Star Is Born” offered inspiration, humor, and a chemistry between Gaga and Cooper that was remarkably engrossing and so darn cute. I was rooting for them the whole time.

But there’s a theme in the movie that made a happy ending almost impossible: alcoholism. “A Star Is Born” brought attention to this hideous and heartbreaking disease that can destroy people and their families, so I thought I’d address it.

Click here to read the rest of the article, published in the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, and several other major newspapers across the country.

Like this article? Check out, “Why Couldn’t He Change For Me?”

Editor-in-chief: Jackie Pilossoph

Divorce is a journey. Live it with grace, courage and gratitude. Peace and joy are on the way! Jackie Pilossoph is the creator and Editor-In-Chief of Divorced Girl Smiling. The author of the novels, Divorced Girl Smiling and Free Gift With Purchase, Pilossoph also writes the weekly dating and relationships advice column, “Love Essentially”, published in the Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press and the Chicago Tribune online. Additionally, she is a Huffington Post contributor. Pilossoph holds a Masters degree in journalism from Boston University.