Where should I begin? Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will go down as one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live. Birdman is one of the most creative films I've ever seen.
The plot involves a washed up actor named Riggan(Michael Keaton) trying to put on a stage play, in an attempt to revive his career. This is the most impeccable casting I've ever seen. Keaton, of course has a career that parallels Riggan's, playing a superhero and becoming more obscure once that ended over 20 years ago. The characters we meet along the way are equally interesting. There's Mike Shiner(Edward Norton), an actor who is perfect on the stage and anything but off it. Riggan's daughter Sammy(Emma Stone), who was neglected by her father and became addicted to drugs. Riggan's ex-wife(Amy Ryan) is also interesting in the way she so easily lets him manipulate her.
Its also a bit like watching a Quentin Tarantino production. The support characters are very strong, and creates a series of tense moments and scenes. You start to wonder... What's going to happen in this scene? Whats going to happen in the next few seconds? The subtext about advantage of ignorance is also good, and works at several layers. As are the outrageous scenes, most of which are confined in the tunnels of a Broadway theater. Its fast paced in many parts, with fast dialogue. So it can a bit hard to catch, for those not familiar with English. Which is interesting considering the writer/director's first language is Spanish.
Everyone else pitches in too, though. Zach Galifianakis' long-suffering producer; Naomi Watts' insecure young actress; Andrea Riseborough's frustrated girlfriend; Amy Ryan's exhausted ex-wife; they're all excellent in relatively small but significant roles. But of the supporting cast, Emma Stone and Edward Norton are a cut above. Norton is hilarious as the Broadway veteran, difficult to work with in his undying effort to find 'truth' on stage (mirroring Norton's own storied behavioural issues). Emma Stone, too, is just incredible. It's a character that starts off looking quite generic – young daughter out of rehab who doesn't give a crap about anyone – but she comes into her own in a big way. Stealing every scene she's in, including a fantastic final few seconds, Stone shows once again why she is one of the best actresses out there right now.
There are a lot of big movies coming out this year – your Stars Wars and your Marvels – but this is already a frontrunner for movie of the year. Technically and creatively, 'Birdman' is a cinematic triumph, and a brilliant way to start the year. If this is the calibre of cinema we have to look forward to, we're in for a ride.
Meanwhile, trying to direct the volatile Shiner plus his equally volatile girlfriend (more of a cameo but again brilliant by Angela Risborough) Keaton's character starts to fall apart, simultaneously haunted by his alter ego (the bird man that is embedded in his avian brain).
The action is relentless, breathtaking actually, as it is driven along by an incessant jazz drum solo that peppers the score.
Keaton looks and acts more and more like Bill Murray in his prime but his performance goes far deeper than anything I've ever seen Murray achieve (with the possible exception of Lost in Translation). It's dark, tragic and sensitive.
The awful relationship he 'enjoys' with his clearly disgruntled 'assistant' and rehabilitating daughter, Sam, played to scuzzy perfection by Emma Stone is remarkable. In one scene Stone berates Keaton for his inept fathering skills to the point that you genuinely think her head might actually burst open. It's electrifying.
I'm elated to have finally seen Birdman. My expectations were high going in but were completely blown away, which almost never happens. Iñarritu and company have created a funny, exciting, thought-provoking, and all around jaw-dropping masterpiece that deserves every award it's got coming to it.
If there is a criticism of Birdman, it's how ambitious the film is. Alejandro seemingly throws all his ideas at us and the film moves at such a brisk pace that they all can't be absorbed in a single viewing. A more restrained approach, focusing on fewer topics but in more detail instead of attempting to take on all of celebrity culture in 119 minutes may have better served the film. However, despite the chaos, the film still works, thanks in no small part to the outstanding performances in the leading and supporting roles.
IT MOVES FAST ONE MY TOP LIST MOVIE. just wow, i as blew away. the drum pieces, the performances, the relationship, the concepts, the everything is awesome. And Keaton was so brave to take this risky role. the connection between Keaton and Riggan not to mention Norton and Mike characters. And Emma Stone was sooo good. she is always been good. especially in The Help. Maybe she will get her first Oscar nom on Thursday, and hopefully after this will take more different roles. amazing performances, very ambitious film. And that ending scene. mind blowing
8.5/10-IMDb
92%-Rotten Tomatoes
88%-Metacritics
9/10-Verdict
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