Review: Birdman (2014) - A Weird Epic

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2015)

"See, Birdman is like Icarus.."
Riggan Thompson doesn't matter anymore. At least that's what his daughter, Sam (Emma Stone) says. The washed-up star, played by Michael Keaton, can't seem to reclaim the glory he felt whilst portraying the superhero that "paved the way," for the influx of comic book films we see today: Birdman. Riggan is staging a Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, which he has adapted for the stage and plans also to direct and star in. This is Riggan's ticket back into the spotlight. It's been twenty-something years since his stint as Birdman, and it's his time to reclaim the glory.
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is most widely known for his films Babel (2006) and Biutiful (2010), two very somber films, so naturally, when I saw he was doing a film with Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, and Zach Galiafinakis I was quite surprised. More intrigued than anything. I've been waiting to see this film since I first became aware of it. It's been a long wait, but I finally caught a screening, and I'm so glad I did. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a delight; a revelation. It is a resurgence of art in cinema. Weird, funny, and emotionally engaging, Birdman will be remembered for the ages.
The cinematography in this film needs to be mentioned. I have long loved Emmanuel Lubezki. Ever since I first saw Children of Men (2006), I was hooked on his style. They way he shoots is astounding. He has an appreciation for the Golden Age of Cinema and it is evident in every single shot of his films. Lubezski's use of natural light is what draws most people in, but for me it has always been about his long takes. To me, nothing is more immerse than a camera that is able to linger in the action without cutting. It gives the viewer a frame of reference and commits to maintain it, engaging the viewer. Here, my appreciation of this only served to make me love this film even more. The entire film, save a very brief portion near the end, is processed to seem as one take. We move from location to location seamlessly for the two hour running time. It's a beautiful end result.
Keaton plays the Riggan Thompson / Birdman character seemingly with ease. It's so refreshing to see him back on the screen and doing so well for himself. He really does capture the hilarity of it the narrative. Ego and legacy take center stage. The struggle of this film is one of a man who struggles to remain relevant and potent in today's culture. Even with an ego large enough to persuade him to hallucinations of telekinesis and levitation, Riggan Thompson is looking for his place in the limelight. He wants to be important again.
Emma Stone and Edward Norton are also superb. Their interactions feel nothing short of genuine, and provide a heartfelt addition to the main narrative of The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance. This film was, personally, one of my favorites from the Oscar Season. I had such a good time watching it, and despite the profane language, I couldn't shake the feeling of Classical Cinema. Film can be such a majestic thing when it is appreciated and nurtured as an art. We have that here, with Birdman. I see this film joining the Criterion Collection one day soon.