I have finally had the chance to see Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and it will probably remain my choice as best film of last year. A delirious showbiz comedy, certainly one of the best movies about theater or film ever made. Michael Keaton, incredible in his role, is the declining movie star Riggan Thomson, who has abandoned the superhero role of Birdman that made him rich and famous and is now trying for validity as stage actor and director by starring in his own self-financed Broadway play adapted after a Raymond Carver story.
The film is so intelligently constructed (the on- and off-stage are so interlinked that you often get the feeling you can’t tell fiction from reality, if the characters talk as themselves or playing the Carver dialogue) and filmed, by cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, who won the Oscar last year for Gravity (giving you the impression that it is a one-take film), that it makes me want to say that it has its own stand-alone place in cinema. Birdman is placed in the theater world, but it cleverly alludes to the vanity of blockbuster Hollywood, to superheroes and remakes and cinema interested solely in box office rankings, to actors addicted to celebrity, trying to adapt themselves in a new world dictated by social media. But it takes a visionary non-American director to render an American subject in such an incisive, original, vibrant, satirical yet emotional way.
And it’s wonderful to realise director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s talent for comedy (I still can’t shake off the heavy impact that the tormenting story in 21 grams had on me). The entire supporting cast is amazing, from Edward Norton (hylariously narcissistic) and Emma Stone (I don’t think there is any other actress more entitled to the Oscar nomination – for what these nominations are worth – in supporting role), to Naomi Watts (she continues to prove herself better), Amy Ryan and Zach Galifianakis. The score from Antonio Sanchez adds to the originality of Birdman, maintaining an edgy, jazzy vibe throughout, transmitted to the viewer. Everyone seems to have done their piece flawlessly and it shows.
photo: movie poster | production credits
I LOVED this movie. I know some of the takes were rather long, which was so affecting. I was a bit disappointed that this didn’t win for score at the golden globes because the music felt like a character in this film, it was so extraordinarily done. And I love the fact that Michael Keaton played this role – much true to life as the former batman. I could talk for a whole evening about this film, and that, to me, is the mark of a great film.
I didn’t mind the long takes, quite the contrary, everything was so fluent. Yes, I wish the film won for score too, because it does feel like a character in the film, but I don’t put much faith in these awards anyway. I agree, no other actor could have been more suitable to play the role than Michael Keaton. It’s really an extraordinary film.
i loved the long takes too (i completely meant that as a compliment!). do you remember that russian(?) film that was all done in one long take? I was trying to remember the name of it.
Now you’ve made me curious. I have to find out the name of that movie.
I’m waiting for this one to become available on demand. I recently watched an interview with Keaton and others and it felt good having him back on the screen. Your note on 21 Grams struck a chord. It’s one of those films that frequently pops up in my mind; I don’t think I will ever be able to shake it off (and the acting is simply rock solid gold) .
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