An experience as much as a film

Rating: 8/10 (8 February 2015)

In Birdman actors play a version of themselves. Keaton plays a washed up ex superhero movie star who wants to gain recognition and respect as an artist and actor by doing a deep Broadway play. Norton plays a self righteous and difficult to work with talented actor (which is the reputation he has in real life). Iñárritu and his DP did a technical tour de force by making the film (appear) as one shot (with the help of the VFX guys no doubt) but that alone makes viewing this film an extraordinary experience. The score consists only of a guy playing drums (you actual see him in the background several times) in different tempos but it works very well - though that makes the score more supporting and less interesting to listen to on it's own (like the score of Interstellar e.g.). This film which was Keaton's first lead role in 6 years will surely put him back on the map in Hollywood. As much as I liked this movie it was not as good as Nightcrawler because of several reasons: the film is a bit long and Gylenhaals performance is more enjoyable then Keaton's so the Oscars can go to Nightcrawler for me. But certainly check it out, it's as much an experience as it is a film!