Sam's Blog - Birdman

Years ago, he played Birdman, the gravelly-voiced, telekinetic comic book superhero who could fly. Now, Riggan Thomson (played by Michael Keaton) is trying to find his identity beyond this famed role (an ironic connection, given Michael Keaton's past role as Batman). Alejandro González Iñárritu's BIRDMAN will captivate you from the very start with its eccentricity: the very first image is of Riggan in his underwear, levitating, his back turned to the camera as the voice of his alter-ego character booms in his head. He is in his dressing room, having initiated a desperate attempt to restake his claim to fame by adapting, directing, and acting in a Broadway play. The film takes place during the preview nights as the members of the cast try to work out their issues before Opening Night, when they will be at the mercy of the critics.

There are an assortment of characters within the walls of this theatre. Riggan's daughter, Sam (Emma Stone), has just gotten out of rehab and is working as her father's assistant to keep herself distracted. Jake (Zach Galifianakis) is the show's producer, desperately trying to keep the cast sane and on the same page. Laura (Andrea Riseborough) and Lesley (Naomi Watts) are the two lead actresses in the play, and both desperately want a sign that they are loved. Edward Norton plays Mike Shiner, the egotistical actor who comes in as a last-minute replacement when an actor gets injured on the set, and immediately tries to steal the spotlight of his colleagues.

The film gives a fascinating (and often comical) insight into the insecurities of celebrities: the first half of the film is very much an ensemble piece, flitting back and forth from character to character and unfolding the strange, perhaps unhealthy, perhaps necessary, reliance they all have on each other. Each character lashes out in different ways: their fears, their doubts, and the constructs they have to put up in order to succeed all come into play here. This is best seen with Riggan, himself, as the audience is given the responsibility of deciphering whether he is going insane, or if there really is something supernatural -- or perhaps the word "special" would suffice -- about him. After all, that is the point that BIRDMAN makes: that everyone wants there to be something special about them, something that makes them stand out and matter to the world. It's just easier to see with actors.

The most exhilarating part of BIRDMAN is the cinematography... which is not a surprise, given the director of photography, Emmanuel Lubezki, whose past work includes technical masterpieces like GRAVITY and CHILDREN OF MEN. For a film that takes place on Broadway, it makes perfect sense that BIRDMAN runs with the fluidity of a well-orchestrated play: through carefully planned cuts and maneuvers, the cinematography creates the illusion that the entire film is one shot, and the way the camera twists around corners and runs through the halls with the characters makes it feel as if the theater itself is a character -- the host, if you will.

It's hard to find anything negative to say about this film... the acting is excellent, the story is engaging... there are a few conversations that come across a bit stagey, but one could perceive them as just a part of the show. BIRDMAN is now playing at the Midtown Cinema... don't let this one pass you by.