A unique film told with a lot of class

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2015)

Every now and then you come across a film that is unlike anything you've seen before. Sometimes it's hard to put your finger on what exactly makes it so unique but you are in no doubt that is. 'Birdman' is definitely one of those films. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu used a very distinct style while filming this (which sounds like it was a nightmare for the actors), but it has produced great results. It comes across as quirky and fun and gives a sense that the unexpected is right around the corner. I was surprised to see that he is a relatively inexperienced director, as this could easily have been mistaken for the work of a genius of the industry who had been applying his trade for many a decade.
The acting is also nothing short of superb. Michael Keaton is obviously the stand out in the lead role. He's in a two horse race with Eddie Redmayne to win Best Actor at the Academy Awards this year and I wouldn't be shocked if he pulled it off. He is captivating in the role and never has even so much as a single weak scene throughout the film. The style the movie was filmed in will give his chances of winning a real boost as well, as you can tell it would have been anything but easy work to make.
The other two actors who have been nominated for their supporting roles are Edward Norton and Emma Stone. Norton (who I often refer to as my favourite actor) is nothing short of his brilliant best. You know a performance is great when you are genuinely missing that character being on screen and that's how it was in this. He goes almost entirely missing near the end of the film and it is a real shame because I never felt like I got any closure on his character. Stone is also good, although I think gets overshadowed by the two main actors. I have found the Best Supporting Actress category to be a little weak this year and I think this has helped a few performances get recognition that may not have in other years. There's no doubting though that she held her own in every scene she was in and gave a very solid performance.
'Birdman' certainly won't be for everyone. The person I was watching it with couldn't stand it and left about half an hour in for instance. It's billed as a comedy but it's far from conventional in that sense and could disappoint a few people in that way. It's absolutely filled with inside jokes (some right in your face, others not so much) that are imperative to keep in mind throughout if you are to fully appreciate it. The script has certainly been well thought out and the dialogue is excellently written.
It's the only film in the Best Picture category giving 'Boyhood' a run for its money, and while it is a slight outsider (it has roughly the same chance of winning as Keaton does of upsetting Redmayne) I would not be the least bit surprised to hear its name read out as the winner come February 22. I've always said the Academy loves a film and about a film (or in this instance a play - as close as they're going to get this year). It will be very interesting to see it all pan out. Top filmmaking.