Birdman Film Review

Birdman | 2014
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Rating: 8/10

Recently, it seems the popularity of senseless-action 'blockbuster' films is constantly increasing, and the film industry has become a dull, grey mountain, with Michael Bay sat on top declaring himself as king of the VFX. So when a not-so-popular, fresh faced director pops his head out of all the explosions holding something new, it's a truly refreshing sensation to experience.
Truthfully, Birdman is surreal. From the narrative to the cinematography, everything looks and feels so perfectly confusing and fast-paced that it's hard not to become immersed in the life of Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) - a washed up Superhero actor who retired his franchise 'Birdman' some twenty years ago.

The film depicts the steady crash-and-burn career of the common one trick pony, only in an ingenious and thoroughly perplexing way. We watch Riggan, struggling with a form of schizophrenia at the hands of his former alter ego Birdman, attempt to revive his bygone acting vocation through a Broadway performance. However, when director AG. Iñárritu was faced with this concept, he created something much more than just an interesting story line.

I think it would be somewhat inappropriate to start this review addressing something other than the impeccable cast and performance. First of all, Michael Keaton as Riggan was probably the best decision this film made. The synergy between himself and the script was so abundantly obvious in that he executes every line and action so sublimely; he was most definitely best suited for this role. Then there's Fight Club's Edward Norton, playing the character of Mike Shiner, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis and Naomi Watts, who all exceed their previous acting careers in unison.

Next comes the cinematography. Iñárritu chose to capture this performance in a style similar to Hitchcock's 'Rope', in that the film seems to be shot in one take, the cuts disguised by close ups of characters or entering a darkened room. This makes the film not only seem shorter but also immerses the viewer in with this twisted, upside down world of Birdman. And whilst on the technical aspect of things, the soundtrack is also of a unique style. Without any need for pretentious or exclaiming music, the Birdman soundtrack simply uses the continuous sounds of a rehearsing stage drummer as the soundtrack, making for a confusing mix of diegetic and non-diegetic music.

My one and only critique of this film would be the lack of character development on certain characters we should probably feel a strong way about, for instance (ironically) the critique 'antagonist' who is hellbent on giving the show a negative review. Though, all said, I can't deny that I felt a strong hatred for her character, which would be the intention.
In all, this film is next to perfect. If you can stand lengthy films, and are a fan of true cinema, I would highly recommend you watch this film - several times. See if you agree with my rating of 8/10.