This black comedy, directed by Alejendro G. Inarritu is one of the most brilliant, original films I’ve seen in a long time. It blew me away..
First the acting…Michael Keaton is absolutely magnificent in the performance of his career. He plays washed-up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), who became famous for playing an iconic superhero in the movies. After doing three ‘Birdman’ movies, Riggan decides he’s had enough and years later, stages a combeback in a Broadway play, that he adapted from a Raymond Carver short story entitled, ‘What We Talk About, When We Talk About Love’. At the same time, our former out comic book hero is dealing with his ‘Birdman’ alter ego who torments him and a daughter, Sam (Emma Stone) just out of rehab. Plus, Riggan has to keep the reins on his co-star, the high maintenance, out of control, alcoholic theatre actor, Mike Shiner (the wonderful Ed Norton) Lucky for Riggan, he has some help from his BFF/lawyer/fellow producer, Zach Galifinakis)
Now for the director, Mr. Inarrita…mostly known for his dark, depressing films, ‘Amores Perros’, ’29 Grams’, ‘Babel’ has written along with his three collaborators, Alexander Dinelans, Nicolas Giacobone, Armando Bo, a biting spot on satire about…Hollywood and showbusiness. Thanks to his amazing cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, who manipulated the camerawork and editing to give the appearance that the film is one continuous long take, the film is absolutely memorizing at the same time.
Rounding out the cast is Naomi Watts as Leslie, an actress in the play who’s about to appear on Broadway for the first time…Amy Ryan (Sylvia) Riggan’s estranged, but loving ex wife…Andrea Riseborough (Laura) Riggan’s sometime girlfriend, also in the play and finally Lindsay Duncan as a NY Times critic, that could destroy a play with a stroke of her pen.
‘Birdman’ was shot in 30 days inside New York City’s famed St. James Theatre. It’s funny, touching, exciting, bizarre and a film you should run out to see. It may just be one of the best films of 2014.
Keaton definitely gives one of the best performances of 2014.
I gave ‘Birdman’ which opens in theatres Friday October 17, 2014 my highest bagel score…5 out of 5.
Check out our Two Jews On Film video for more of my thoughts.
Podcast: Download
- Two Jews On Spiderman: The Homecoming - July 7, 2017
- Two Jews On War For The Planet Of The Apes - June 30, 2017
- Two Jews On Baby Driver - June 29, 2017