A Major Accomplishment by a Master Filmmaker

Rating: 10/10 (17 January 2015)

I can't say enough good things about this movie, but I'll try. This is one of the most amazing, brilliant films I've ever seen. Michael Keaton's performance is transcendent. Honestly, I didn't know he had it in him, but I was utterly mesmerized by his performance. The Vérité style continuously honed in on Keaton's craggy face and I couldn't take my eyes off him even when he was reflected in a mirror talking to someone else. The entire cast was brilliant with each performance adding thick copious amounts of meaning to the film. The layer upon layer of this story of love, ego, need for redemption, insecurity, and biting humor left me wanting to see this film multiple times. The writing is brilliant and the filmmaking is so innovative and creative, I have no idea how they pulled it off. Nearly the entire film is portrayed as one long cut. It's a major accomplishment by a master filmmaker. It's incredibly complex in it's choreography of camera movement and shot structure. It captures the insanity of getting a play on stage in a tragically comedic way. Most films are disappointing in at least one department, but the truly great ones make everything cohesively work: music, sound, lighting, cinematography, casting, acting, directing, art direction, and, most importantly, writing. This film does it all. It's high art of the grandest magnitude.
Underlying all its layers, the film says to me: "Hey, I know actors are all crazy, but we live life fully and passionately although often tragically. At extreme personal cost, we pursue our dreams and wrestle with our inner demons. We NEED to be great and believe it. We are courageous. We risk everything. At our best, we are honest on stage and awaken the human experience."
Spoiler alert: I wish I could speak to the director about this film. I loved the score. I would ask him about it. The jazz drumming seems to indicate the moments when Riggan is in schizophrenia mode. The orchestra symphony moments seem to indicate what is real, honest, and true or perhaps when art and life are at its greatest . . . and a symphony moment occurred at the end in the hospital room when Riggan disappears out the window which (in addition to Sam looking up and giggling) means he was actually flying.
Spoiler alert: My favorite scene was Riggan confronting the drama critic in a bar. When he says, "I'm an actor!" and passionately annihilates the critic who has nothing on the line other than ulterior motives and writing a few paragraphs, I nearly cheered out loud. It was better than any action hero taking out the evil bad guy.