Birdman Review

This is one of the most awaited movies of the year 2015, Birdman, directed by  Alejandro González Iñárritu (21 Grams, Babel). Presented at the opening of the International Venice Film Festival, it also racked seven nominations at the last Golden Globes. The main actor Michael Keaton has won the award for best actor in a comedy. And it is well deserved.

More recently Birdman made a strong impression at the Oscars. The film won four statuettes including : Best Picture and Best Director for Alejandro González Iñárritu. Award already won last year by his compatriot Alfonso Cuaronle for Gravity.

Through the consecration of Birdman, the Academy Awards sends two clear messages in Hollywood. First, it rewards an original creation, a film that was not taken from a story from real facts or book (unlike four of its competitors for Best Film). The second message of the Academy is that it has awarded the technical originality because Birdman is primarily a pure cinema object,

a staging prowess, which also covers the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, also awarded to the film.

Blockbuster with impressive special effects? Jubilant prank that diverts felted codes of theater? Gallery of colourful characters played by exceptional actors? Film of the Year surrounded by a halo of mystery? Birdman is a bit of everything at once.

World star since his title role in Birdman, superhero half-man half-bird of a cult blockbuster of the 80's/90's, Riggan Thomson adapts to the theater a dark play of Raymond Carve to return on the front of the stage and redeem an artistic virginity. A few days after the first, a series of unexpected events will jeopardize its dream of rebirth and place him in an interrupted wave of inner torments .

The duality between cinema (special effects, camera movements, multiple plans) and theater (play acting, staging, almost no effects) is at the heart of Birdman. Filmed almost entirely in a Broadway theater, it seems to have been shot into a long, single sequence plan. No apparent cut, the action takes place uninterruptedly from the dressing rooms, corridors, stairs, stage and backstage. The current technology certainly facilitate that kind of effect on the screen, but the intention of the director is breathtaking when you see the effect on the film. Far from being free, this method best suits to action.

Author of the stage adaptation, director of the play, actor, Riggan Thomson holds his project at arm's length and invests body and soul. So much emotional investment products on him a split of personality. This mild schizophrenia is operated by the brilliant Mexican director with stunning visual effects and totally ecstatic scenes. A Birdman hidden behind the door, super powers which reappear as in his superhero movies, the ability to fly, Riggan lives between reality and illusion, and slowly sinks into his inner world. A huge nod to Fight Club the fate of his torments (how Ed Norton makes disappear Tyler Durden?).

Far from his bewildered and lost characters in Fight Club, Edward Norton turns into actor without concessions and even hardliner. In love with his art, Mike Shiner refuses to cheat and completely immersed in his roles of absolute coolness. Zach Galifianakis in a rather modest role has done its job. Actor greatly underestimated in its frivolous comedies (Due Date, The Hangover). Manager of the hero, he shows a decline and bluffing finesse. Each of his appearances is a great time.

Regarding Michael Keaton, this role will revive him in Hollywood circles. His appearance as Birdman with a voice of Batman, the Time Square crossing underwear, his dialogues with himself, that nagging voice, Oscar could not escape it!

Finally, Birdman offers a breathtaking atmosphere. The acting could not be more correct. The work between unquestionably among the films of the year. However I think that the film lacks a little something to transcend and reach the cult status. Indeed, the absence of a break and throbing jazz melodies  gives both a particular rhythm but on the other hand it breaks the rhythm and fails to some viewers to hang on to the frame. The interpretations of the end of the film can also be confusing. To me, Birdman is a little too on the side "elitist" cinema. uninitiated viewer will find it particularly long time and do not grasp the different phases of introspection Riggan Thomson.

"Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" (original title)
119 min  |  Comedy, Drama  

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu (as Alejandro G. Iñárritu)

Writing Credits  
Alejandro González Iñárritu .
Nicolás Giacobone
Alexander Dinelaris
Armando Bo

Raymond Carver

Stars
Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton