Starring: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough, and Edward Norton
Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Screenplay by: Alejandro González Iñárritu and Nicolás Giacobone
Yes. That is the official name for this movie. But let's just stick with Birdman for now.
Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) used to be a big Hollywood actor whose name everyone knows. Fortunately, everyone still knows him from his hugely successful Birdman films. But it's been a while since he's made a movie and he needs to reinvent himself. So, he's off to Broadway to put on a show; an adaptation of a short story by Raymond Carver called What we Talk About when we Talk About Love. Riggan hates one of the actors and thinks he's not doing a very good job, so he wants to get a replacement. Enter Mike (Edward Norton). Mike is a much better actor, than even Riggin, and ends up stealing the spotlight that Riggan is so desperately trying to be in. Through this play, Riggan attempts to find relevance to the public again, and through this journey of self discovery, he finds he may no longer be relevant. So, will Riggan become a relevant celebrity again and reinvent his career?
This story is told in an interesting way. It's shot seemingly POV style. At first, it feels like the film starts off with just a really long tracking shot. A few minutes into it, you start to wonder when there is going to be a cut, and suddenly the movie is over and it's all been one shot. Even thought the scene and setting changes, it changes all during that one shot. The story is told through this excellent cinematography, making us feel completely immersed in the film as well as taking us up close and personal to the characters.
The acting is spectacular. All of these actors deliver fantastic performances, but especially Edward Norton. His character doesn't just steal the spotlight in the show. He also steals the spotlight in this film. Until we meet his character, Mike, this film is Michael Keaton's show. He is the star and this is where he is supposed to shine brightest. However, once we meet Mike, all that changes as he steals the show from Keaton and things just get more and more interesting from there. Zach Galifianakis doesn't play the stupid role we might know him to play (see The Hangover for an example). He is perhaps the most serious character in the film and certainly delivers some of the best acting he has done on screen.
Something interesting about the background music of the film is that it is almost entirely drums. Occasionally there will be some other instruments that make up the background music, but it relies heavily on the drums. Twice, the drummer has a cameo in the film, which makes for some funny moments.
At first, it can seem difficult to take this movie seriously because there are points where it doesn't take itself seriously. Yet, this lack of seriousness makes the movie so good and so fun to watch. A few times, I thought "this movie is insane". It's funny yet serious at the same time. I strongly recommend this film to anyone interested. I didn't know much about it going into the theater as I had only seen a trailer twice for it. This is an incredibly satisfying movie that will make you scratching your head at moments and I strongly recommend it. It's one of the best movies I've seen of the year.
I feel like I'm giving a lot of high grades to movies these days, so here is another one. I give Birdman an A.
Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Screenplay by: Alejandro González Iñárritu and Nicolás Giacobone
Yes. That is the official name for this movie. But let's just stick with Birdman for now.
Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) used to be a big Hollywood actor whose name everyone knows. Fortunately, everyone still knows him from his hugely successful Birdman films. But it's been a while since he's made a movie and he needs to reinvent himself. So, he's off to Broadway to put on a show; an adaptation of a short story by Raymond Carver called What we Talk About when we Talk About Love. Riggan hates one of the actors and thinks he's not doing a very good job, so he wants to get a replacement. Enter Mike (Edward Norton). Mike is a much better actor, than even Riggin, and ends up stealing the spotlight that Riggan is so desperately trying to be in. Through this play, Riggan attempts to find relevance to the public again, and through this journey of self discovery, he finds he may no longer be relevant. So, will Riggan become a relevant celebrity again and reinvent his career?
This story is told in an interesting way. It's shot seemingly POV style. At first, it feels like the film starts off with just a really long tracking shot. A few minutes into it, you start to wonder when there is going to be a cut, and suddenly the movie is over and it's all been one shot. Even thought the scene and setting changes, it changes all during that one shot. The story is told through this excellent cinematography, making us feel completely immersed in the film as well as taking us up close and personal to the characters.
The acting is spectacular. All of these actors deliver fantastic performances, but especially Edward Norton. His character doesn't just steal the spotlight in the show. He also steals the spotlight in this film. Until we meet his character, Mike, this film is Michael Keaton's show. He is the star and this is where he is supposed to shine brightest. However, once we meet Mike, all that changes as he steals the show from Keaton and things just get more and more interesting from there. Zach Galifianakis doesn't play the stupid role we might know him to play (see The Hangover for an example). He is perhaps the most serious character in the film and certainly delivers some of the best acting he has done on screen.
Something interesting about the background music of the film is that it is almost entirely drums. Occasionally there will be some other instruments that make up the background music, but it relies heavily on the drums. Twice, the drummer has a cameo in the film, which makes for some funny moments.
At first, it can seem difficult to take this movie seriously because there are points where it doesn't take itself seriously. Yet, this lack of seriousness makes the movie so good and so fun to watch. A few times, I thought "this movie is insane". It's funny yet serious at the same time. I strongly recommend this film to anyone interested. I didn't know much about it going into the theater as I had only seen a trailer twice for it. This is an incredibly satisfying movie that will make you scratching your head at moments and I strongly recommend it. It's one of the best movies I've seen of the year.
I feel like I'm giving a lot of high grades to movies these days, so here is another one. I give Birdman an A.
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