REVIEW: Birdman

Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige.

---

DIRECTED BY: Alejandro Gonzales Inarrito 
WRITTEN BY: Alejandro Gonzales Inarrito, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris & Armando Bo
STARRING: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough, Merritt Weaver, Amy Ryan & Lindsay Duncan

SYNOPSIS: Washed-up actor Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) attempts to rejuvenate his career through his first broadway production while dealing with family troubles and a superhero complex.

---

FULL REVIEW: CONTAINS SPOILERS

---

Bits I Loved

• The premise is interesting enough in the exploration of an actor’s career after leaving a successful franchise particularly the affect it had on their ego.
• The story in turn was rather intriguing with the focus being on Riggan’s attempt to reinvent himself through the theatre and the various obstacles he faced in this endeavour.
• The cinematography and editing was unbelievable. The entire film is perceived as one continuous shot and I loved that concept. Definitely deserves some consideration for the Cinematography Oscar.
• The script was very realistic, particularly the dialogue which felt as if the characters had written the script for the filmmakers. Very, very real.
• The score was great and very underappreciated.  Helped accent the tone of the film.
• The cast and acting was phenomenal. Michael Keaton gives an astonishingly Oscar-worthy performance. Find it very funny that Keaton, a washed up superhero actor, gives a great performance to revitalize his career by playing Riggan Thompson, a washed up superhero actor who gives the performance of his career. Edward Norton and Emma Stone also delivered award calibre performances.

---

Bits I Hated

• The story is certainly not for a general audience as many casual moviegoers would find this narrative to slowly drag and be very uneventful. However, it is not your typical blockbuster film, but instead an art film and therefore needs to be perceived as one.

---

Review

Birdman is an unusually fulfilling black comedy with superb writing and excellent direction. The cinematography is absolute perfection with the use of one continuous shot throughout the entire film, giving cohesion to the narrative. The story was realistic and intriguing putting a washed-up superhero actor into the shoes of a washed-up superhero actor. Keaton‘s portrayal of Kiggan is brilliant, giving an Oscar-worthy performance that raises the question of how much of it was really acting? Edward Norton and Emma Stone also deliver phenomenal performances in an all around fantastic film.

Of course Birdman isn’t for everyone given its use of art film techniques, but that should not detract from its brilliantly obscure story-telling. If this film is foreshadowing the future of superhero actors then bring on the Robert Downey Jr theatre productions.

---

Oscar Nominations?

• Best Picture (Guaranteed)
• Best Director (Guaranteed)
• Best Actor – Michael Keaton (Guaranteed)
• Best Supporting Actor – Edward Norton (Guaranteed)
• Best Supporting Actress – Emma Stone (Guaranteed)
• Best Cinematography (Guaranteed)
• Best Editing (Guaranteed)
• Best Original Score (Darkhorse)
• Best Original Screenplay (Guaranteed)

---

Verdict

1 = Fair 2 = Good 3 = Very Good 4 = Excellent

★★★★ – Premise

★★★★ – Story

★★★★ – Characters

★★★★ – Visual Effects

★★★★ – Dialogue

★★★★ – Visuals

★★★☆ – Soundtrack

---

★★★★★★★★★★  10/10 – Recommend

---

What did you think of Birdman? Let me know in the comments!