BIRDMAN

In 2015 the Oscar statue for Best Picture was handed to Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. Earlier in the evening he had won statues for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The picture that garnered him all these awards was Birdman (or, The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence).

The movie stars Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson, a Hollywood actor idolized for his portrayal of a superhero named Birdman in a trilogy of films. Riggan is now seeking to prove something to himself, his fans, and the acting community by adapting, starring in, and producing a Broadway play. The role is a pinnacle for Keaton, and he is matched toe to toe by Edward Norton as onstage co-star Mike Shiner. Both men were deservedly nominated for Oscar Acting nods. Other notable performers include Emma Stone, Zac Galifianakis, Naomi Watts, and Amy Ryan. If you enjoy top-notch acting, the performances contained within the film’s two hours will excite the heck out of you. For me, there is something extremely special about watching an actor playing an actor acting… if it’s done well. And it is done superbly here.

Acting aside, the story itself is very much out there, told perhaps for the sole sake of art and expressing ideas. From this vantage point, the film won’t be to everyone’s taste. The entire movie is filmed in single-take, where there are no cuts between scenes and the camera flows continually. Most of the story occurs within the theater’s stage and backstage, so this style of filming is extremely tight and congested. For me, this was an apt metaphor for all that is swirling around in Riggan’s mind. From the opening scene through its unconventional conclusion, there is always a mystical wonder of what is really going on and what isn’t. The storytelling reminded me of when I have a frantic dream that I want out of, but it seems to continually rewind to a point of discomfort and play out again and again, just slightly differently each time.

How far will one go for fame and adoration, and how much does one lose while seeking it? That is the trade wind of this film, while underneath that it is tempered with gusts of laugh-out-loud hilarity. The musical score is fantastic and the way the music is often used to break the fourth wall all on its own was spectacular. Given its uniqueness, I could certainly understand how the film might tailspin for some, but for me, it flew high and magnificently!