Strong performances,mind-bending layered screenplay and technically brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (13 February 2015)

Honestly I really don't understand why I ended up liking Birdman so much. The story feels as much ignorant as the alternate title.To begin with I truly was not able to stick myself with plausibility of the events shown in the film. Although I was quite able to relate to it metaphorically but the ending left me pretty much hanging. The story has a multi-layered point of view and the writers have done splendid job working on small little details which many casual viewers miss. Birdman is a kind of movie where you will spot something new on multiple viewings that you might have missed earlier.
The story revolves around Riggan (played masterfully by Micahel Keaton) who was once a famous superstar for playing superhero Birdman in blockbuster movies. Now past his middle age, Riggan seems to have lost his path in the film industry but his mind is not a phase to accept it. He is working on Broadway play which he himself is directing and writing apart from acting in it to showcase his talents. We get see his internal struggle countering with his alter-ego "Birdman" who makes him feel he is still a superstar and shouldn't waste his time on Broadway plays. Also he is facing family problems with distances between him and his daughter Sam (Emma Stone) constantly increasing. Starring in his play is a hardcore actor Mike (Edward Norton) whose dedications have no limit while he is acting and two more actress Leasley(Naomi Watts) and Laura(Andrea Riseborough) who have relatively smaller role. The entire star-studded cast was absolutely brilliant to watch and each of their characters is given ample amount of depth.
The cinematography is excellent and the entire film is edited to make it look like a one continuous shot (except once in the climax). The background score comprising mostly drums was also splendid. The multi-layered screenplay was very interesting and there were also many laugh-out-loud moments which was a really surprising considering the theme was more of dark comedy. I am not very clear about what rating to give right now, will have stronger opinion after re-watching it few times. Still with its stellar cast, weirdly intelligent script I must admit Birdman is one the finest films I have seen this year.
RATING:[4.5/5]