Brilliant blend of iconic movie themes

Rating: 10/10 (5 March 2015)

The brilliance of this film is so many vital Hollywood themes combined into a single story line of depth and insight. More and more people today too young to retire find their life falling apart after their thirties and forties in a different economic and social climate seemed fulfilling. Michael Keaton's character has money and fame and a family and respect throughout the Broadway theater world from audiences and critics alike. Feeling unwanted because no one listens or cares without a self aggrandizing motive, perhaps a catty, stinging remark, perhaps visibly uncomfortable because they consider his stance of the moment too calm or too agitated, he depends on his new Broadway show, and in this case much like Mr. Marsh in 42ND STREET to build his confidence. It only makes him realize his time and values are over in the city as are his wife and daughter and his theater performing and directing career. Agatha Christie once wrote we feel old when no one is around to understand our hopes, dreams and memories. This is true of Keaton's fictitious character in this film, Melding memorabilia shots of New York landmarks, surrealistic editing to give us insight into his character's way to escape and gritty, realistic editing to explain the reality of staying on a job or hanging out somewhere when you are the last of the old guard, the photography and editing are insightful. Some of us go into whimsy and some plan a new life disowning familiar people, places and activities to find happiness once this seems more the norm of the fifty somethings. The movie decides which for Keaton's character though most of us find our own way out of this.