Great performances, but "restricted" and over-sophisticated plot

Rating: 6/10 (19 January 2015)

As I have seen all feature films by Alejandro González Iñárritu, I did not expect neither trivial nor smooth watch, but I remember large diversity of people and topics from previous ones. Birdman, however, is focusing on persons involved dramatic art, their goals and issues, robed into Iñárritu's round-the-bend approach. Although I had some giggles and the performances of all more-or-less leading actors were pleasing to watch (particularly Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson / Birdman, Edward Norton as Mike Shiner, Zach Galifianakis as Jake), I often felt that not all scenes and lines reached my mind, that I apparently missed inside jokes and stuff familiar to people daily involved in acting and play production (therefore, it is logical that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has awarded 9 Academy Award nominations to Birdman this year). Thanks to skillful directing and camera-work, I did not get blah feelings, and quite a witty ending arrived earlier than expected, but still...
My two close relatives have worked in different theaters, I know some actors personally, been to back stages, etc., and yet, Birdman remained out-of-the-way to me. I can't image how people with no or casual contacts with theater world could watch and enjoy Birdman's storyline at all. And even if I admire Keaton (well, always have), I think that "Performance by an actor in a leading role" should be awarded to either Benedict Cumberbatch or Eddie Redmayne this year.