"Popularity is the slutty cousin of prestige."
Birdman or (The
Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is an arthouse film about an aging actor
who is largely known for his role in 'Birdman’
films. The film is about his attempt to shatter his ‘Birdman’ typecast by directing and starring in a Broadway play. The
film stars Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson, Emma Stone as Riggan’s daughter, Zach
Galifianakis as Riggan’s agent and Edward Norton as Riggan’s unmanageable method
acting Broadway co-star.
I will begin this review by saying that this film is a true
piece of film art. Never before have I experienced something that hit so many
levels of social commentary and surrealism. The film is made to look like one
continuous take, something that I am sure was an absolute nightmare to film. But
the director’s hard work and patience pays off beautifully as the cinematography
is engrossing and mesmerising. It truly gave me the sense that I was backstage
of this play with these characters, who in every sense of the word felt like
real life people.
The acting in the film is absolutely flawless. Michael
Keaton throws himself into the character to the point where you only see Riggan’s
struggles and ambitions. Which is strangely ironic as Michael Keaton shares so
many similarities with this character. A character that I believe will be one
of iconic characters of this decade. Edward Norton is also incredible in the
film, playing a character who appears to be some kind of strange and hilarious self-parody.
Emma Stone shines some brilliant and needed social commentary with an
engrossing monologue. That’s another thing about the film, it’s filled with
this astonishing monologues that appear to be intricately written but somehow
seem like they could have been improvised, something I know is impossible due
to the extremely long takes.
Birdman was an absolute
joy to watch and a film that I believe will have success and a future cult
status. I only hope that the surrealism doesn’t lose audiences or indeed voting
members of the Academy as I would love Birdman
to win Best Picture 2015.
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