Odd, But Rewarding

Rating: 7/10 (15 March 2015)

A very sharp, sassy script and a convoluted, but engaging, examination of reality, theatrical reality, media reality and self- perception, 'Birdman' shows just how good Michael Keaton can be, with good material. Casting a film about a washed-up superhero actor trying to prove his worth (to his family, himself, his audience and the world in general) by staging a self-penned Raymond Carver adaptation, with actors who have associations with such franchises, was clever. It plays on our own perceptions. Is Keaton the volatile troubled soul in real-life he appears to be on screen? Is talented, over-analytical anal-retentive Edward Norton mocking his notoriety as a 'difficult' actor to work with? The interior of the theatre is used really well, helping to variously establish, remove and self- consciously muddle the different 'realities' at various points in the film. I like this movie, also, because it means I can say something nice about Zach Galifianakis...whose insensitive dork schtick I really can't abide, but who does some solid straight-faced character acting, here, as Keaton's slightly camp lawyer.