Charlyne Gelt, Ph.D.
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Cinema Therapy — Charlyne Gelt, Ph.D., CGP
A Star is Born
This is the fourth remake, spanning over a period of nearly one hundred years, of the now iconic film, A Star Is Born. The first version was in 1937, and starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. The second, in 1954, starred Judy Garland and James Mason. The third version, in 1976, starred Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. And this most recent 2018 version stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. While each version reflects the era in which it was made, the heart of the story has stayed the same: A struggling young woman with extraordinary talent is discovered by an older male star, and as she rises upward into stardom, he spirals downward into failure.
In this current version, a harddrinking, drug-abusing country music star, Jackson (Jack) Maine (played by Bradley Cooper), falls for an unknown singer, Ally, and takes her under his wing, keeping her from giving up on her dream. When Ally's career finally takes off, their romance begins to break down, especially when Jack starts losing his ongoing battle with addiction. It leads to a tragic end when Jack takes his own life.
The film explores the price of fame, ambition, addiction, love, and loss. While not directly based on a single true story, it is a mix of rags to riches stories, along with Hollywood and music industry lore. The story resonates deeply because of its emotional depth. It shows us the invisible common wounds that draw Ally and Jackson together in the first place, and the high cost of addiction on their careers and roller coaster relationship.
We watch Ally and Jackson navigate both success and failure. Ally’s dream of success becomes a reality as Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. Jackson, however, keeps abusing drugs and alcohol to repress memories of his traumatic childhood. It is painful to watch the toxic effect of addiction which sends his own career, and their relationship, into a downward spiral. In the end, Jackson fights a losing battle with his internal demons.
if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”
This is a love story, meaning a love of music, the need for acceptance and belonging, and a soulful connection revealed through story, and song. Ally and Cooper find acceptance and belonging from the empathic attunement they get from the “other.” Beneath the chaos and drama of addictions, and Ally’s fear of rejection, lies a common wound. Their love story is a tug of war, filled with sacrifice and tragedy that reflects their narcissistic wounding and a shadow side of the “other.” Each fears falling apart.
To keep themselves “glued together,” and to maintain a cohesive sense of self, they needed mirroring, validation, and approval, which gets met through their relationship, and by an adoring audience. Initially, their pain gets buried in addictions, electric success, and the solace of song.
Will Ally continue to support Jackson through his addictions and failed recovery? Why doesn’t she just release him, let him, and move forward to her own success?
Psychological Implications
So many questions! What does Jackson see in Ally that he doesn’t see in himself? Why does Ally continue to support Jackson through his addictions and failed recovery? Why doesn’t she just release him, leave him, and move forward to her own success?
Narcissistic Wounding: We all need affirmation of our value. We need to be the gleam in somebody's eye. In Kohut's self-psychology (Kohut 1971; 1977; 1984), these are understood as self-object needs. If such normal childhood dependency needs are not met from the parental environment, the developing child experiences a narcissistic wound. Thus, the drive for a selfobject in adulthood, hanging on to one who keeps us feeling glued together, and enhances our sense of well-being. Both Jackson and Ally are crippled inside. Ally was triangulated into the role as the family caretaker. She was a survivor who learned to take charge and be indispensable, which kept her family glued together. Jackson learned to survive by being his dad’s drinking buddy. His partner, Ally, felt his pain and saw the survivor in Jackson. Soul mates. She related to his pain, and felt that “he understands me,” Initially, Jackson began to heal as well. For both of them, as successful musicians, their unconscious needs got met.
Love and Addiction: Mutual attraction is often based on similar needs and fears. For Ally and Jackson, it is a Corrective Emotional Experience! The very things that draw people together may also be what drives them apart. In this case, Jack’s musical success, and Ally’s drive for it, links them together. Ally’s climb to success, however, pulls them apart. For Ally, Jack’s love was a transformative experience. Ally lacked confidence in herself and feared rejection. Being the hub of her Dad’s wheel, kept her father and his business going. She transfers her “strength” in numerous attempts to remain strong and stoic amidst the chaos of Jack’s addiction.
Jackson saw the gold in Ally that she did not see in herself. For Jack, Ally’s empathy was the catalyst for healing the trauma of his childhood experience. It led to his struggle for sobriety. Ally tries to support Jack in his battle, but the weight of Jack’s childhood issues remains unresolved and continues to drive him to drink.
Layers of façade reveal themselves in Ally’s musical genius. Her lyrics and songs tell her heart’s story. Once successful, the walls came tumbling down. Now, Ally fears losing herself, not to Jackson, but to her true self and her values, hidden in her changing music and creative style. She questioned how to be true to herself under the pressure for perfection and success. Ally and Jackson had a powerful, transformative effect on each other, empowering both: "If I can elicit a response, I must be somebody." Jackson’s death continues to be part of Ally’s process of individuation.
Charlyne Gelt, Ph.D., CGP (PSY22909) is a clinical psychologist who practices in Encino. She leads Women's Empowerment Workshops and Groups that help women learn the tools to move beyond self-destructive relationship patterns. She may be reached at 818.501.4123 or cgelt@earthlink.net. Her website is at www.drgelt.com. Her office address is 16055 Ventura Blvd. #1129 Encino, CA 91436. CINEMA THERAPY BOOK is available on AMAZON
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