There were two films of this genre: The Rose & A Star is Born.
The Divine Ms. M turns in a performance that tops Kris
Kristofferson & Barbara Streisand - with ease (using one of
Kristofferson's songs & a drag-queen Streisand impersonator!).
This film is a novelty / mockumentary take on a Janis Joplin type.
Obviously, Ms. Middler would have made a documentary if she had
wanted. . .so this is Bette jumping off where she feels she can
give an over-the-top performance.
There are no bad parts to this film. There are no bad songs. The
whole film has high production values and is comparable to The
Last Waltz in the intensity of the performance.
My favorite song is "Fire Down Below" - a dynamite performance.
Somehow the performance was left off of the soundtrack album
and the only decent cover is Bob Seger's.
If you want to see Bette acting and singing at a level few can hope
to equal: watch the film.