Birdman is a Modern Day Sunset Boulevard.

Rating: 9/10 (27 October 2014)

In Birdman (2014) Michael Keaton plays Riggan Thompson, an actor with a career path not unlike his own. Riggan was once Birdman, a Batman-esq blockbuster comic franchise. Only now Riggan is in the twilight of his career and is attempting to make it back to relevance with a Broadway play. One that he funded, directed, adapted and stars in. Riggan's play cast consists of Mike played by Edward Norton, his girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) and Leslie (Naomi Watts). Waiting in the wings to help support Riggan in his production are his assistant Jake played by Zach Galifianakis and his fresh from rehab daughter Sam, played By Emma Stone.
We join the cast a few days outside of opening night during preview shows. The play seems doomed to fail from all kinds of casting, financial and critical pitfalls. Although the problems of the production all pale in comparison to its biggest issue, Riggan is a total delusional schizophrenic. All of the delusions play out first hand so we can see his madness in all its explosive glory. Riggan Thompson is a modern day Gloria Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, looking for his grand return to the silver screen and his last big close up.
I must admit I had mixed feeling about director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. I loved his early work in Amores Perros (2000). It was exhaustingly dramatic but the visual style and direction were powerful. Then with 21 Grams (2003), Babel (2006) and Biutiful (2010) I had decided that while a very effective and visually stunning director, his work was all way too dark for me. Maybe the artistic and symbolic message was lost on me. Overall I just couldn't help but feeling that he was a film canister is half empty type of director. Too dark and tragic to be entertaining, or enjoyable.
Birdman is a wonderful departure from his previous films. Birdman is just as dark, yet there is a small silver lining of bitter sweet dark comedy to make it unforgettable. Alejandro has said in interviews that his films are an extension of himself. I can't help but wonder if this new found levity to his subjects means he has found happiness. The cinematography and direction in Birdman are unlike anything I have seen. The camera weaves in out and around the theater, with long, mind blowing steady cam shots and seamless time progression shots. The Broadway set is like a more elaborate version of Wes Anderson's diorama style sets. It is as much a character in the story as an of the actors.
Michael Keaton delivers an Oscar worthy performance. Playing the tormented actor haunted by the inner voice of his Birdman big screen persona. The voice taking on the Christian Bale style deep, heavy smoker Batman. There are moments of madness and tenderness in Keaton's performance that rival any of his other roles. Edward Norton, as if it needs to be said, is phenomenal. Delivering sharp, rapid fire dialogue with laser point accurate timing and precision. Emma Stone as the daughter is a stand out supporting performance. Her role is a dark departure from the wide eyed cutesy teen characters she has played in the past. Zach Galifinakis as Riggan's assistant is deeper than his usual comic relief role, yet no less funny. The performances have such impact, the dialogue alone could play out amazingly as a radio drama; even without all of the pop and magic of the cinematography.
Birdman's message is about what being a global celebrity can do to an actor. Specifically what happens to those who have fallen out of the lime light. With critics and social media there is now no end to the level of torture a person struggling for acceptance can be subjected to.
In the dressing room Michael Keaton's character Riggan has a quote on his mirror "A thing is still a thing, no mater what people say about it". At the end of this film I couldn't help but think of the late Robyn Williams. A man brilliant in his work, loved by millions and yet tortured by inner demons, that eventually resulted in his demise.
This film is a testament to all of the great talent we have lost one way or another, burned up under the harsh magnifying glass of their own stardom.