Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is Turbulent and Wild.

Overview:

A washed up superhero actor tries to salvage his fading career by starring, directing, and writing a Broadway play.

Initial Thoughts:

I’m gonna call this film Birdman for the sake of time, but this film is unique in so many ways. The most obvious way is that it is filmed in a single shot. This technique was used because the film’s director, Alejandro González Iñárritu, wanted to “submerge the protagonist in an

inescapable reality.” Like dude come on…that’s like the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. The single shot technique works because we get moments of controlled chaos. Explamples of controlled chaos include seeing the stressful, fast-paced, and time sensitive backstage aspects of a theater production. It’s easy to become invested in the characters. Everyone has such a big personality which results in arguments, fights, and sexual tension. Without a doubt, my favorite character is Mike, played by Edward Norton. Mike feels like how Norton is on set in real life. It’s no secret that Norton is infamously difficult and tends to take over any film’s production. The best performance however, is Michael Keaton as Riggan. I also want to highlight the fact that Zack Galifianakis plays the theater producer. I really bought him as a stressed out, overworked, and desperate person trying to hold this play together. Props to him.

Characters/Performances:

Michael Keaton as Riggan: Keaton’s Riggan is a faded actor who’s most famous for playing the part of the superhero Birdman in the 1980s. Riggan’s ultimate goal here is to be taken serious as an actor. He is mocked by the voice of Birdman in his mind and imagines himself doing things like flying and moving things with his mind. Riggan is on edge mentally and is obsessed with getting this play prepared. The play is an adaptation of Raymond Carver’s short story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Keaton’s performance starts out very normal in the sense that we as the audience can understand why he would be on edge or stressed about putting on a show. As the film goes on he becomes more unhinged with each passing day. He imagines himself flying, having telekinesis, and giant monsters in the city. As he begins to lose his sanity these hallucinations are more intense and frequent. Riggan is not your average crazy guy, there’s depth to him and Keaton’s performance makes you root for him.

Emma Stone as Sam: Sam is a recovering drug addict and is Riggan’s assistant. Stone is similar to Galfianakis with this role. They’re both talented comedy actors with roles in Super Bad and The Hangover trilogy, but in this film they are proven to take on serious roles and be taken serious while doing it. Sam is attracted to Mike, played by Norton, and they eventually have…the sex. Sam is always there for her father and tries her best to understand him in any way that she can. Stone always delivers with these types of roles, serious or not.

Edward Norton as Mike: Mike is the most entertaining character…there I said it. Like I said earlier, Mike is basically an extension of Norton in real life. They’re both brilliant actors with huge egos and dick-ish attitudes. Mike is so extreme and impulsive. This is seen when he breaks character during a play because his gin was replaced with water. Another instance is when, he tries to actually have sex with a co star during a bedroom scene. Mike may be a dick and an asshole but, there’s one thing you can’t take away from him…he’s a fine actor and he knows it.

Final Thoughts:

Birdman is a gem. The production is top notch. Keaton and Norton give career defining performances, and it was very deserving of its four Academy Awards, including Best Picture at the 87th Oscars.

Rate:

A-