#birdman movie

Michael Keaton…who knew?

I am literally astounded at the technical and storytelling innovation that went into this film.

Riggin Thomson (Keaton) is now just a former shell of himself from his prime during the early to mid-90’s where he reigned supreme as the “it” actor grossing billions of dollars off the “Birdman” franchise. He has since fallen off Hollywood relevancy and is attempting a comeback by writing, directing and starring in his own Broadway play that is loosely based on his life.

From the opening credits, the audience knows that this film marches to the beat of its own drum as the director nods to the rebellious Godard as he uses vibrant reds and blues to portray his opening credits, much like Godard’s work from the 60’s; the similar usage of typography and animation is used to set the tone for the film.

Alejandro González Iñárritu typically focuses on heavier themes and much more depressing narratives, from what I’ve seen (21 Grams & Babel). It was a welcoming surprise for me as this, relatively “dark comedy,” effectively weaves its way through the main characters ego revealing to himself the cruel truth he doesn’t want to hear, and then revealing to the audience (us) what he actually wants; as his ‘id’ is portrayed by his fictional on screen character “Birdman” as his conscience.

The film’s cinematography grabs a hold of your attention and forces you to move with the actors at their pace. I don’t know how they did it, but the movie almost feels like it was done in a single take.

Iñárritu, uses minimal surrealism in the film, which makes the film that much better, but more so he uses reality to show just how Keaton doesn’t really fit into society, anymore, as he’s refused to adapt to the times making his prescence in any scene almost surreal and anachronistic as we the audience are thinking to ourselves, everyone around Keaton’s character must be aware that he’s a washed up actor, thus creating a sense of tension in every scene as Keaton is just a hairline of a fracture away from losing it; and isn’t that just how an actor in real life is? Because a lot of their lives are surreal.

Overall though, I am glad the surrealism was kept to a minimum unlike films like “Synecdoche, New York” where I spent most of the movie trying to interpret Kaufman’s intentions, rather than enjoying it.

Keaton and Norton to Keaton and Stone — we get the most chemistry, as both pairs convincingly play out their roles to the extent where it didn’t even feel like acting; I actually found myself wishing success to Emma Stone’s character and an untimely demise for Edward Norton’s. Norton, also tears this film a new one as an experience obsessed actor that dabbles a little too much in his own methodology as he instigates fear amongst his cohorts, coupled with his compulsive attitude he goes off on his own self-absorbed tirades of being a real stage actor with actual range, rather than some former film superstar that relies on special effects and bloated budgets to gain notoriety.

These type of satirical autobiographical films seem to do wonders, revitilizing and or finding actor’s careers as we saw with Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” and Eminem with “8 Mile.” It even goes to show how much the public is hungry to see something “realistic” while poking fun at a person as long as its not themselves.

Suffering for your art/passion is a time honored tradition amongst creatives and if one feels themselves getting empowered after watching this film, one also gets to walk away with the feeling of acceptance in that, you’re not the only one that is suffering and or things could be worse…

Birdman was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dull climate full of movies that:

1. Thanks to VOD and Redbox — movies are being pumped out left and right, I cannot keep up anymore, and it has to be assumed that most of the drabble being pumped out are not good.

2. Social media, tends to dumb down cinema nowadays, but watching a movie like this restores faith in the art.

3. (not that I am complaining) It’s nice to see a passionate film versus another cgi infused actioner.

Birdman, does not try to be something it is not. It delivers inspiring performances from everyone involved.

4/4