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Birdman (2014)
Films about primal love, hate or fear, are common, but the convincing depiction of complex emotion is the holy grail of cinema. When film tries to portray emotions that are balanced on the edge of sanity or in the battle with inner demons of self-loathing or lost purpose, it enters a space where few succeed. Birdman (2014) is a stunningly successful black comedy played in emotional quicksand. Its tour-de-force performances, dynamic cinematography and multi-layered storytelling make it a benchmark creative work that should be seen by anyone who loves film.
The story is told through the eyes of a has-been actor who was famous decades ago as the super-hero Birdman. In the opening scenes we find Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) levitating and moving objects by thought, unsubtle hints of his tenuous grip on reality. He is hoping against hope for just one more chance at stardom by directing and acting in a little known short story that is adapted for Broadway. The story timeline covers the rehearsals, previews and opening night, during which Riggan vacillates between fear of failure and belief that he has again created something that audiences will applaud.
All is going chaotically well until a stage accident leads to a difficult but dynamic replacement being given the co-star role. Upstaged by the newcomer in front of his daughter and ex-wife, Riggan’s menacing alter-ego in the shape of a feathered Birdman incites his impotent rage and drags him to the brink of self-destruction.
While the plot is a formulaic exposé of an actor’s mid-life psychosis, its execution is extraordinary. The audience is teased with a complex montage of alternative realities where the actor’s art and real life become intertwined and confused. Vanity and ego are the lifeblood of theatre and cinema, and themes of mental illness and suicide bubble to the surface of this boiling cauldron.
The casting is brilliant and Michael Keaton plays the role of his life. The pace of the film is almost neurotic and quickens until it races with a continuous-take style of photography that is fluid and immersive. The hand-held camera often appears to struggle in keeping up with what is happening, while an edgy percussive-heavy soundtrack creates a visceral sense of breathless engagement with the unfolding twists and turns of the story. It is hard to fault this film. Indeed, it is hard to think of any other contemporary film that can fill this space with such virtuoso acting, filming and directing.
Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Stars: Michael Keaton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Edward Norton,
CineMuseFilms 
Great detailed review. I really enjoyed Birdman, thought it was brilliant. You’re spot on with what you at the end there too.
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Thank you Liam. Have you reviewed it?
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Yeah I have actually. You can read it here if you want:
https://motionpictureblog.com/2016/06/05/birdman-2014/#more-3830
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I remember absolutely loving Birdman and have been considering revisiting it. With your review, I’ll definitely be giving it a shot.
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When I first saw it on release I found it overwhelming on the senses. Thats a rare feeling, and its taken a while to actually review it. Like giving birth to a thought.
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Like the handheld camera, I remember struggling to keep up with this film. This aspect: ” emotions that are balanced on the edge of sanity or in the battle with inner demons of self-loathing or lost purpose” reminds me of the 2010 film Black Swan, which also portrayed an artist on the edge. I love your review of this film. It has inspired me to watch it again. I found it frightening and mystifying the first time around. I can see why it took you a while to digest it enough to write a review. Tell me, how do you see the films you review? Do you view most of them in a theater or with a home streaming device?
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I go to a cinema two or three times a week for new releases and I stream another one or two for my backlog list. Its amazing how the passage of time can alter memories of a film. I must look at Black Swan again. Birdman gnawed at my memory drive until the review was written. Done now.
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I loved this from the first moment it started — it was like a watching a play within a play within play in a way for me and the acting is superb. I had two people with me, and one of them fell asleep, considering it ‘boring’. I was riveted. *laughs*. Michael Keaton should have won an oscar in my opinion, he was that good in the role. *nods*
– esme sat with the birds upon the Cloud
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I agree; Michael Keaton should have won his own Oscar. The film of course had to settle for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematogrphy, and Best Screenplay for 2015. I’m sure Michael was cool about this. Lovely to see you here Esme.
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Thamk you, I’m drawn to your layout, but more to your choices of films to review. Just as another aside here – The Cloud has a ridiculously large amount of catagories, but this is the film one –
https://sonmicloud.wordpress.com/category/words-and-wonders-from-the-world/films-fantastical-and-unusual-celluloid/
I was just thinking it would save you time as films are clearly your passion *smiles.* – feel free to edit out the link of you’d rather do that afterwards.
esme loving unusual films from all decades upon the Cloud
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