Writer/Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Starring: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton and Naomi Watts
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Michael Keaton. Following his rise to stardom during the 1980’s, Keaton has become one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Whether it’s dedicated news reporters, commemorated comic-book characters or psychopathic actors, Keaton has proven he can portray several memorable characters. Keaton’s greatest strength as an actor is his versatility. Through his abilities to depict larger-than-life characters that are compelling, Keaton has created a legacy that’s lasting. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Keaton has proven he hasn’t lost his amazing abilities to make engaging entertainment. A legendary actor that created a legacy that’s lasting, Keaton has made many unforgettable movies throughout his illustrious career which are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Michael Keaton and admire all the movies he has produced throughout his illustrious career. However, “Birdman” may be my favourite film. Released in 2014, Alejandro G. Inarritu’s Oscar-winning movie offered an insightful glimpse at a struggling actor staging a comeback on Broadway. Packed with stunning set-design, engrossing storytelling and powerful performances, it’s a marvellous psychological masterpiece. At the centre of it all is a strong performance from Michael Keaton, capturing an actor that’s going through a mid-life crisis. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message about the world of stage production that would resonate among everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about struggling actors, there are several strong reasons why “Birdman” is a movie that’s definitely worth watching.
“Birdman” tells the story of a struggling actor seeking success in the film industry. Michael Keaton embodies Riggan Thomson, a fading actor that has lost popularity. Riggan once in the past used to be known for playing the famous superhero Birdman. Now a washed-up actor whose career is on the decline, Riggan has lost his capabilities to shine. However, Riggan’s life forever changes when he’s given a final chance to stage a comeback. Assigned to direct a Broadway play, Riggan is given a final chance to stage a comeback in a big way. As the opening night of the production approaches, Riggan attempts to piece the broken pieces of his life back together. Attracting the criticisms of theatre critics, Riggan questions if he’s good enough. Under pressure, Riggan wonders whether he any longer has chances of becoming a successful actor.
Alejando Gonazales Innaritu is a newcomer to stories of actors. Before he made “Birdman”, Innaritu has never produced a movie about the film industry. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of theatre actors under pressure, but he succeeded immensely. Through gorgeous cinematography, Innaritu captures a stage actor seeking staging a comeback. Inarritu effectively uses long takes to capture the intense pressure faced by a stage actor. The entire film was made to look like it was short in once take. For instance, long takes enhance the theatre scene. During this unforgettable scene, Riggan has a tense argument with an actor during the middle of a live stage production. One admires long takes capturing hardships faced by stage actors. Through this unique one-shot technique, Innaritu captures hardships that stage actors go through. Long takes are tricky techniques. As Sam Mendes’ “1917” suggested, long takes elevate WWII movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through groundbreaking visuals, Innaritu captures hardships that stage actors go through.
Another admirable aspect of “Birdman” which is worth discussing is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well-made. Innaritu successfully uses real-life theatres in New York to capture the lives of stage actors. Throughout the movie, the theatres serve as a crucial location where Riggan pursues his life passion. For instance, the theatrical locations elevate the final stage musical scene. During this memorable scene, Riggan brings a real gun to his stage play. One acknowledges the set-design capturing hardships actors in a theatre production go through. Moreover, the musical score is exceptional. Antonio Sanches’ music gives the film a tense atmosphere which captures the heavy burden Broadway actors bear. Using bold production-design, Inarritu captures the lives of theatrical actors that decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Birdman” is a classic that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses voice-over narration to capture the tension experienced by a stage actor. Inarritu’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing the lives of theatre actors with mental health problems by voice-over narration. Throughout the movie, Riggan expresses his frustration with being a washed up actor through voice-over narration. Voice-over narration elevatse the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Riggan has a conversation with his alter-ego Birdman sitting alone in his apartment. One admires the clever voice-over narration capturing the life of an actor facing mental health issues. Through this clever narration, Inarritu crafts a powerful character that audiences can easily relate to. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty” suggested clearly, voice-over narration elevates movies about suburban American families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Inarritu captures the lives of actors on Broadway.
One admires phenomenal performances.
Michael Keaton delivers one of his greatest career performances as Birdman. Keaton first achieved appreciation for playing drug addicts struggling to stay clean and sober. With “Birdman”, however, he took on his most challenging role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a washed-up actor struggling to reclaim past glory, but Keaton succeeds. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, frustration and resentments of an actor struggling to gain fame in the film industry. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to draw from his own personal experiences to create a compelling portrait of a theatre actor. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Edward Norton is extraordinary, capturing the narcissistic personality of a theatre actor that behaves rudely without any concern what people think of him. Emma Stone is excellent, capturing the frustrations of Riggan’s daughter that struggles to show concern for a father that has mistreated her. Lastly, Naomi Watts merits appreciations. As a struggling stage actress, she brings gravitas to the movie.
Finally, “Birdman” will earn everyone’s appreciation for capturing the lives of stage actors with mental health tensions. The film tackles universal themes such as career, dysfunctional families and mental health which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with theatre productions to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message about mental health which would strike a chord with everyone. Therefore, “Birdman” is one of those rare movies about theatre which everyone will adore.
Fans of Michael Keaton will definitely appreciate “Birdman” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating classic, it celebrates an actor that has built a lasting legacy in the film industry worth appreciating.
Nearly 10 years following the release of an iconic film about washed-up actors with mental health issues seeking success on Broadway that blew audiences away, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with plenty to say that thrives given chances to portray complex characters facing a painful price to pay whose timeless movies are worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
You must be logged in to post a comment.