Thinking, feeling movie. It's great!

Rating: 9/10 (21 December 2014)

People who review this movie poorly simply do not understand this film. I'm not high and mighty, But this is an intelligent, thinking movie and those that didn't like it were quite possibly expecting a Birdman come back action hero movie. This is a movie about Riggan Thomas, an actor who used to play the beloved action super hero Birdman on the big screen. Alas, some 20 years ago he thumbed down a Birdman IV movie sequel and has since been fondly remembered and recognized by fans, but otherwise forgotten about by most everyone else.. Although his role as Birdman is long over, The Birdman has never left him, as his alter-ego is still the voice in his head, for better or for worse. This movie is purely about his life journey to regain the notoriety and status he held all those years ago or to move on from it completely by leaving his mark as the writer, director and star of a hit play on Broadway. The movie portrays the backstage makings of a B'way show to be gritty and dysfunctional with the elements of sex, drugs, alcohol and slander in abundance and personal life struggles of all involved examined. To those who say it's overacted, I disagree. But acting emphasis may have been placed on purpose to put a period on the point of all that was going on around him while dealing with his own demons on the path to his redemption. What was so interesting to me is the movie feels like a play as it unfolds with the amazing filming technique of the continuous shot. This means the camera follows the action continuously, without a break in scene or motion. Several times the shot ends with a long frame of a night time scene only to have the sun rise, building lights turned off all in the same frame, then a continuing pan through the window right into the next scene, following the actors and action unbroken. It's very cool and very effective because you're right there. There's nothing to miss. Michael Keaton is truly genius. His finest moment on the screen. Edward Norton..wow. Better than The Fight Club, if that's possible. And Emma Stone, you will see her in a new light, as a real acting presence. I was shocked! This is a feeling movie. You will feel, especially towards the end. While very funny at times with bright spots of hope, the over all feeling is sad. But the ending is mystical so you can give it a happy ending if you choose. Demographic: Me and Husband, 53 & 62. Avid movie goers.