Birdman is one of those films that if you try and explain it to someone you can never really do it justice. At some points it’s like watching a low budget summer blockbuster with a ‘can do’ attitude. At other points you feel like you’re observing through the curtains on some misconceived theatre reality TV program. Regardless of what label you feel the need to affix to it, it is one of those films that really don’t come along too often and when it does it should be soaked in and consumed with the passion it deserves.
Birdman is the story of an actor Riggan Thomas, played by Michael Keaton, who has his best years behind him. An actor, much like Keaton himself, who gave up on playing the lead role in an iconic superhero franchise twenty years previously. Riggan now has an overwhelming desire to be seen as a ‘serious’ actor and as such has sunk his heart, soul and financing into directing, adapting and starring in a Broadway play called "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" . As well as bringing play to the stage and all the inherent problems that that entails Riggan is also trying to make up for lost time with his daughter Sam, acted superbly by Emma stone and let's be honest, she could use the work after being unceremoniously bumped off in the last Spider-Man movie. (Sorry there should have been a spoiler alert in that last sentence somewhere). To help make amends and to help ease is fatherly guilt Riggan has hired Sam as his personal assistant. A job that she doesn’t want and shows distain for but at the same time a job she needs as she’s only just got out of rehab for a drug problem.
The film also has one on the best ensemble casts this side of a Woody Allen film. Edward Norton plays Mike Shiner, a troubled actor who leaves everything on the stage and treats his profession with the upmost respect but conversely treats the rest of his life like it’s a game. Norton, who has a reputation for being a difficult actor to work with, sends himself up superbly. Joining the cast of Riggans poduction a day before the first preview is due to take place Mike demands rewrites and passion from his fellow performers. An example of how committed to the stage Mike is shows its self when half way through a monologue that Riggan is giving to the audience, under a spotlight and centre stage, Mike realises that his real gin has been switched for a bottle of water and then flies off the handle and confronts Riggan, thus bringing the show and first preview to a grinding halt. Rounding out the more famous of the assembled group of actors is Zack Galifianakis as Jake. Playing very much against his stereotypical role of goofy comedy relief Jake is Riggans best friend and spends most of time trying to produce the play and keep all of Riggans ducks in a row. He is very much the calm eye of this eclectic storm and without out him all would be lost.
Riggan being the focal point of the film and plot is a very complicated fellow. He's haunted by his superhero past and has conversations with his Birdman alter ego. His underlying problem is a lack of faith and belief in his acting talent. He has reached a point where his mental health has started to blur the line between what is real and what his make believe. This does culminate in some scenes that are quite uncomfortable to watch. The last twenty minutes of the film are portrayed as Riggans last stand. A mental fight between good and evil, a confrontation that will determine who or indeed what takes ownership of his soul.
I haven't yet mentioned the director or Birdman’s cinematographer which needs to be rectified post haste. For without either of them the film would be a completely different animal. Alejandro González Iñárritu most famous directorial release so far would have to be 2006’s 'Babel' with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. As with that film Birdman is a character driven piece and Alejandro handles it fautlessly. The script calls for long shots and with the help of Birdmans cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki the entire duration of the film, which covers four to five days, is presented as one continuous shot.
2015 has been earmarked by many as potentially one of best years for cinema in modern times. It's nice to know that before we get to the big bubble gum franchise movies like Avengers, Terminator, Mad Max, Mission Impossible and Star Wars all due later this year Hollywood is still capable of making films that provoke a cerebral reaction that are based upon story and script as opposed to how much bang for your buck can be squeezed onto the screen. January would seem to have a bumper crop of films that are more brains than brawn. Birdman, Foxcatcher, Whiplash and Wild are all due out within the next four weeks and it’s nice to know there are screenwriters out there that not only capable of authoring these works but are also brave enough to do so.
Twitter: Birdman is unique and original. A superhero movie that has depth and passion, actors & acting, performance & performing.
#ComeFlyWithMe
Useful Links:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJfLoE6hanc
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=138740
Birdman is the story of an actor Riggan Thomas, played by Michael Keaton, who has his best years behind him. An actor, much like Keaton himself, who gave up on playing the lead role in an iconic superhero franchise twenty years previously. Riggan now has an overwhelming desire to be seen as a ‘serious’ actor and as such has sunk his heart, soul and financing into directing, adapting and starring in a Broadway play called "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" . As well as bringing play to the stage and all the inherent problems that that entails Riggan is also trying to make up for lost time with his daughter Sam, acted superbly by Emma stone and let's be honest, she could use the work after being unceremoniously bumped off in the last Spider-Man movie. (Sorry there should have been a spoiler alert in that last sentence somewhere). To help make amends and to help ease is fatherly guilt Riggan has hired Sam as his personal assistant. A job that she doesn’t want and shows distain for but at the same time a job she needs as she’s only just got out of rehab for a drug problem.
The film also has one on the best ensemble casts this side of a Woody Allen film. Edward Norton plays Mike Shiner, a troubled actor who leaves everything on the stage and treats his profession with the upmost respect but conversely treats the rest of his life like it’s a game. Norton, who has a reputation for being a difficult actor to work with, sends himself up superbly. Joining the cast of Riggans poduction a day before the first preview is due to take place Mike demands rewrites and passion from his fellow performers. An example of how committed to the stage Mike is shows its self when half way through a monologue that Riggan is giving to the audience, under a spotlight and centre stage, Mike realises that his real gin has been switched for a bottle of water and then flies off the handle and confronts Riggan, thus bringing the show and first preview to a grinding halt. Rounding out the more famous of the assembled group of actors is Zack Galifianakis as Jake. Playing very much against his stereotypical role of goofy comedy relief Jake is Riggans best friend and spends most of time trying to produce the play and keep all of Riggans ducks in a row. He is very much the calm eye of this eclectic storm and without out him all would be lost.
Riggan being the focal point of the film and plot is a very complicated fellow. He's haunted by his superhero past and has conversations with his Birdman alter ego. His underlying problem is a lack of faith and belief in his acting talent. He has reached a point where his mental health has started to blur the line between what is real and what his make believe. This does culminate in some scenes that are quite uncomfortable to watch. The last twenty minutes of the film are portrayed as Riggans last stand. A mental fight between good and evil, a confrontation that will determine who or indeed what takes ownership of his soul.
I haven't yet mentioned the director or Birdman’s cinematographer which needs to be rectified post haste. For without either of them the film would be a completely different animal. Alejandro González Iñárritu most famous directorial release so far would have to be 2006’s 'Babel' with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. As with that film Birdman is a character driven piece and Alejandro handles it fautlessly. The script calls for long shots and with the help of Birdmans cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki the entire duration of the film, which covers four to five days, is presented as one continuous shot.
2015 has been earmarked by many as potentially one of best years for cinema in modern times. It's nice to know that before we get to the big bubble gum franchise movies like Avengers, Terminator, Mad Max, Mission Impossible and Star Wars all due later this year Hollywood is still capable of making films that provoke a cerebral reaction that are based upon story and script as opposed to how much bang for your buck can be squeezed onto the screen. January would seem to have a bumper crop of films that are more brains than brawn. Birdman, Foxcatcher, Whiplash and Wild are all due out within the next four weeks and it’s nice to know there are screenwriters out there that not only capable of authoring these works but are also brave enough to do so.
Twitter: Birdman is unique and original. A superhero movie that has depth and passion, actors & acting, performance & performing.
#ComeFlyWithMe
Useful Links:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJfLoE6hanc
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=138740
