Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
By Alex Watson
If someone had told you that acclaimed Mexican
director, Alejandro González Iñárritu's return to the big screen
would be a black comedy starring Michael Keaton (aka Batman) then
most people would probably ask you how many pints you had consumed!
But it appears that this has come to fruition and the Babel and
Amores Perros director returns with his dark satirical film, Birdman.
Keaton hasn't had a role this meaty in years, can Iñárritu bring
out the best in him?
Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) is a washed up
movie star who was once the beloved star of the Birdman movie
franchise. In an attempt to be taken seriously, Thompson is adapting
a Broadway stage production of Raymond Carver's story 'What We Talk About
When We Talk About Love' which has been beset by problems, including
egomaniac method actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) and his drug
addict assistant daughter Sam (Emma Stone). But in the midst of the
mayhem, can Riggan keep his head and give an 'honest' performance?
Birdman
is a bizarre but ultimately brilliant piece of original work from
Iñárritu. Armed with a fascinating pitch black tone and beautifully
shot by Emmanuel Lubezki, the Mexican maverick has created something
truly special and the talented cast succeeds in carrying the weight
of expectation. Riggan is a man who after passing on Birdman 4 over
20 years ago, has become permanently trapped inside his winged character (the character speaks to him in his mind off stage) and he is
straining regain any sense of credibility which on stage is difficult
to come by, as Lindsay Duncan's acid tongued reviewer tells him
"You're a celebrity, not an actor!" and then informs him
she will destroy his play for invading her turf before she has even
seen it.
The camera work by Lubezki also contributes a
great seamless feel to this movie and as we glide in and out of
various rooms, it feels as if we are glimpsing the actors in their
most personal moments which gives an almost intrusive feel to
proceedings. The script however by Iñárritu , Nicolas
Giacobone, playwright Alexander
Dinelaris and Armando
Bo, is one to savor. Together they bring us a story
complete with shocking yet natural humour along with a building
psychological feel of a man who has bitten off more than he can chew.
All around Riggan's production there are problems
to be seen, firstly star Lesley (Naomi Watts) has encouraged him to
bring on board her arrogant boyfriend Mike, who although a big box
office draw is immediately dismissive of Riggan's talent and seems to
cause mayhem over the littlest details, including drinking real gin
rather than water on stage which results in disastrous preview
performances! Along with being continually belittled by Sam for being
more of a 'has-been' because he rejects bloggers and twitter, the man's
mind is beginning to crack and his feathered friends words are speaking
louder than ever.
Iñárritu also makes the audience think about a
number of important factors such as the importance of careful stage
planning, the ego of actors and finally what it means to be creative
in this world. Riggan is literally investing his whole life in this
make or break piece of art and we secretly we fear the effect of an
ill received performance. But unlike this earlier work, there is a
brilliant sense of rawness and reality to Birdman, which
accurately demonstrates the misgivings life in theatre can bring. One
sequence we see our hero lock himself out the theatre mid performance and
having to make an impromptu sprint through a crowded Time Square in
just his underwear!
Michael Keaton is given
the role of a life time to play and he pulls things off
magnificently! Playing an man with everything to prove to the acting
world, Keaton exceeds all expectations and firmly captures Riggan's
ambition along with his continually beaten down persona. Under the
influence of his old Birdman friend, Riggan is a man who seems able
to put all things aside and make the show go on as planned. A career
best for Keaton and it has to be said, a very smart piece of casting
by Iñárritu because few men on the planet would understand this
role better than Keaton himself!
Edward Norton also
makes for a memorable on screen jerk as Mike, his ego soars higher
than Birdman himself could probably fly. Throughout the production he
berates and insults the man who gave him the role and continually
rants on about stage is the only honest acting art. Norton does well
to poke fun at his apparently troublesome antics when making movies
and firmly marks the supporting honours as his own. Also look for a
surprising straight performance from comedian Zach Galifianakis as
Riggan's weary lawyer who forever has his work cut out for him.
Alejandro González Iñárritu has delivered one
of 2014's most memorable and engaging piece of cinema and Birdman
is a stunning change of
direction for this man. If you needed proof of Michael Keaton's
talent, then look no further than this film. This has one of my
highest recommendations and this kind of cinema deserves to be seen
by all!
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