Not everyone's cup of tea

Rating: Null/10 (2 April 2017)

Let me first say that the first time I watched Birdman I hated it and gave it a low rating on IMDb. However something didn't feel right and I felt I missed something. I watched it now a second time and have to say Birdman is a great movie. It is very well made and very distinctive but at the same time relatable.
The film is about a faded actor whose best years are behind him and who seeks to make in Broadway on a different medium, theater. We get a unique and messy behind the scenes view of the dramas that come with hiring acclaimed actors and those close to you. However despite all these dramas the biggest fight is with himself, he has risked everything financially, professionally and personally. Michael Keaton proves his character and ironically himself as an actor are more than relevant with a great performance. The camera work, angles and shots were masterful. I love how the camera moves so loosely with the actors backstage to capture their intensity as it swerves left and right. The passage of time is done well as we effortlessly go from scene to scene. The unusual presence of drums also works well.
The use of Birdman, his alter ego, represents his ambitions and visions of grandeur. Since he achieved great success in the past with Birdman, Birdman is a personification of his dream of success and greatness in his new venture. This is an unprecedented and great use of this alter ego in film and in my opinion the strongest part of the film. In reality we each have a Birdman of our own that represents our dreams of big and great achievement. The presence of superheroes in the film towards the end and the man of steel poster in the background outline the presence of superheroes. This why his Birdman worked so well because it was Michael Keaton's Birdman and with it he was a superhero who could fly. This prompts him to channel and 'listen' to Birdman when he goes all the way using a real gun. Just like the student, worker or sportsman goes out of their way and takes a leap when they are invested in their work so does Michael Keaton's actor in his final scene.
I understand a number of people and their reviews attack Birdman but they may want to watch it again. The issue for most, including me, was people had a traditional mindset of film. They are used to classics that told coherent and structured stories but if you watch it with a different lens and see where it takes you you might change your vote. I adopted a different lens and appreciated it. There is definitely something to see in this film. It is not a piece of rubbish like Moonlight that asks to see something when nothing is there.
To those who are confused with the end it's really not too hard. It was evident when Birdman was channelled in the film because we saw his alter ego Birdman and heard music. The scene where he flies to the theater is a good example because we see a cab driver running after him and can assume he took a cab all along. The same happens in the final scene. Notice that Emma Stone only looks temporarily at the ground before gazing upwards, normally everyone would look below. The purpose was she finally saw her father soar and fly and become a superhero of his own.