Right up there where the sun don't shine

Rating: 5/10 (11 January 2015)

For ordinary mortals looking for a bit of entertainment, this won't provide anything of interest. This production is so clearly an 'in-joke' by those whose business is theatre/drama/blockbuster cinema, you'll immediately feel marginalised. Ha ha... see what they did? There you are, already sympathising with our 'hero' as played by aging Michael Keating. This is quite a neat conceit and works really well. This is so much removed from the pap that often derives from US movie houses that your surprise at its 'intelligence' might catch you off guard. Keaton and Norton put in superb performances and cinematography captures the behind the scenes 'disorder' that accompanies any polished public performance in theatre-land. That said, it took me quite a while to work out when it was 'Birdman's alto ego talking (in voice over) as opposed to something actually mumbled by Keaton. 'Birdman' refers to himself as Icarus several times and we know what happened to him. We only assume that Birdman eventually falls to earth though this films leaves him on a high.