In choosing Michael Keaton to play the lead role of former Hollywood star Riggan Thomson, there are parallels drawn here with Keaton's own Hollywood history - is this coincidental or deliberate I am wondering on Inarritu's part? Nonetheless, Thomson twenty years ago was the 'Birdman' - a movie Superhero through three films in the franchise, before he bowed out at the top of his career and the height of his popularity because he no longer wanted to be typecast and he wanted to preserve his artistic integrity, despite the billion dollar plus Box Office that the films generated back then in the early 90's. Keaton was the first 'Batman' back in 1989 & 1992 when Tim Burton reinvigorated the comic strip hero and saw out two films before passing on the cape to Val Kilmer, and then largely disappeared from the mainstream. Same with Riggan Thomson, but, his alter ego has been omni-present in his head ever since - chiding him, taunting him and creating all manner of emotional turmoil.
Now fast forward to the present day and Thomson in a last ditch attempt to save his flagging career, is staging an adaptation of a Raymond Carver story on Broadway, which he is Producing, Directing and starring in. The cast are hired and they are just a few days off their opening night performance. The film opens and we see Thomson with his back to us wearing only his jocks, legs crossed in the yoga position and he is levitating two feet off the ground in his office/dressing room. He gently steps down from his thoughtful state, gets dressed and the camera follows him out of his office, down the winding corridors of this Broadway theatre, up & down stairs, through doorways and out onto the stage where rehearsals are ongoing - he takes his place at the mocked-up kitchen table with three other characters and recites his lines, and at that a light falls from the rigging above down on to the head of one of the other lead actors. Thomson gets up and exits stage right back to his dressing room, claiming to his lawyer and close friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis) that he did that because his fellow actor was not up to scratch and someone better needs to be brought in, and quickly! All of this and more, is executed in one seamless tracking shot that takes you to the heart of the action and pulls you in to the experience as though you are there seeing it unfold.
Very quickly Broadway veteran and highly acclaimed Mike Shiner is recruited to the cast (Edward Norton) whose somewhat unorthodox acting talents rapidly make their mark on cast, crew and Thomson - and for the most part for all the wrong reasons. At the same time, Thomson is battling it out with his girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) who claims she is pregnant. On the scene to complicate matters further arrives Thomson's ex-wife Sylvia (Amy Ryan) to provide the voice of reason and create some calm - and it is clear that they both still hold a candle for each other. Thomson's PA is his daughter Sam (Emma Stone) fresh out of rehab and clearly the young rebellious fractured 20something who struggles to understand what Dad is all about - jeez - he doesn't even have a Facebook Account, let alone know what Twitter is, so how can he possibly understand her! There is also Lesley (Naomi Watts) an ex-girlfriend of Mike Shiner and first time Broadway actress hoping that this production is her shot at the big time. And then sitting in the background is revered theatre critic Tabitha Dickinson (Lindsay Duncan) who is hell bent on crucifying Thomson's production on opening night and ensuring that it disappears without a trace - because he is a fading movie star celebrity that has no place on Broadway!
All of the interplay between these characters is delivered flawlessly and it seems effortlessly with Edward Norton delivering a career best role as Mike Shiner as the over-the-top cock-sure thespian with a proven track record who is more at home treading the boards that when he is not! Zach Galifianakis plays is down in a slim & trim understated role that is far removed from his 'Hangover' persona. Naomi Watts plays it fairly straight laced because she has everything riding on her first Broadway role, but the interaction between her & Shiner is delightful. Similarly, Emma Stone has her moment in the sun too with a verbal assault on Dad who chides her for smoking a joint despite her being just out of rehab to kick the stuff, and other unsavoury things! There are also a couple of roof-top balcony scenes with Mike Shiner that again show the capabilities of these two strong Actors. And the scene between Thomson and Broadway critic Tabitha Dickinson in a close by bar on the eve of opening night is fraught with emotion and pitch perfect.
All the while 'Birdman' is whispering in Thomson's ear telling him to give up this piece of junk stage play in exchange for a return to the big screen to resurrect 'Birdman' for one last time, and reclaim those good old glory days of fame & fortune. In his everyday state as Thomson we see him exhibit certain Superhero powers of levitation, flight and telepathy - is this real or imagined - you'll have to decide for yourself! None of this does his mind any good as opening night approaches, his stage play is gradually going off the rails (or so he thinks) and he is being torn in all directions by his cast. What will the outcome of this be ultimately on Thomson's mental state, his physical being, that of his cast, opening night critical reception, his reputation and that of his colleagues, and his success or failure as an Actor/Producer/Director attempting against all the odds it seems to re-establish himself.
In delivering 'Birdman' Inarritu has almost rewritten the rule book here and given his characters the chance to shine in a way that we have not seen before. The film is fluid in so many ways, almost free-form and without boundary as performances are nuanced and flawlessly delivered, the camera work seamless, the storyline engaging on so many levels, and the Direction inventive, unique and quirky all at once. The complete package that ticks all the boxes and will easily warrant repeat viewing.
The film has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, nine BAFTA Awards, and has won two Golden Globes for Best Actor (Michael Keaton) and Best Screenplay together with five other nominations. All up it has garnered 123 award wins and 155 nominations so far - with the Hollywood night of nights just a few shorts weeks ago that will put the icing on the proverbial cake if it cleans up there! Get out there and see 'Birdman' soon - you won't be disappointed!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
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