Sincere, grave, funny, effective, fantastical, brilliant and above all, magical.

Rating: 10/10 (22 February 2015)

Birdman is undoubtedly the best film of 2014. And Keaton certainly deserves the Oscar for his numb-rendering performance. The screenplay weaves together everything beautiful. The surprise black comedy works very well. Innaritu's direction gets better with every frame. The last one minute of the film locks your attention in a sleeper hold. The climax packs a powerful, unexpected, somewhat ambiguous yet spectacular punch, allowing you to let your imagination fly. The camera works are excellent, making the film appear more cohesive. The background score melts with the mood of the film. The sound mixing is delicious. The editing is taut and not one frame meanders. What takes Birdman a notch higher is the impeccable cast. Keaton is at the zenith, delivering his career's finest performance, breaking into the character of Riggan and not leaving a single stone unturned. He by far excels Eddie Redmayne, yet may succumb in the race for the Oscar. Edward Norton nails it the moment he appears on the screen. Right from Fight Club, that man has been outdoing himself at every opportunity. In any other year, the Oscar would have been his but not this year. Courtesy: JK Simmons. Emma Stone as Riggan's disturbed druggist daughter imbues a certain discreet charm into her role. Zach Galifianakis specializes in comedy and that is what he delivers, that too in top form. Naomi Watts does well with whatever little her role offers.
Verdict: Birdman captures ego, frustration and breaking free of a washed-out Broadway actor in a unique and captivating piece of cinema that is a masterpiece in every sense, the best of last year. Innaritu most certainly deserves a bow for it.