An "Actor's" Movie

Rating: 6/10 (25 November 2014)

BIRDMAN is an interesting "actors" movie that, I'm sure, appealed to the performers that agreed to appear in it. Unfortunately, I'm not too sure that this movie is appealing to much more of a population than that.
Michael Keaton plays Riggan Thomas, a former star of blockbuster comic-book movies who is trying to make a comeback as a "real" actor by writing, directing and starring in his Broadway debut. He struggles throughout the movie with his own identity. Is he an "actor" as he likes to think he is, or is he "just a celebrity" as someone tells him - and does it matter? Ultimately, the last question is what this movie tries to tell us.
The "gimmick" of this movie is that it is filmed in one, long shot. (It isn't really, but it attempts to give us the illusion that it is). We follow Thomas and others throughout the St. James Theatre on Broadway and places very close to there (close enough to walk to). It's an interesting way of telling this tale, not one that I think helps the story along, and since I was aware of the "gimmick" throughout the movie, it might have hurt it.
I have heard Oscar buzz for Keaton's performance, and I just don't see it. True, it is GREAT to see Keaton back in a leading role and he acquits himself just fine, but it just isn't an "Academy Award worthy" performance or role (IMH0).
Because of the "inside" nature of this movie, I stated earlier that this would be appealing to actors and, I am sure, that is what drew such strong performers as Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and Andrea Riseborough. They all served the script and the gimmick well with strong performances. Only Zach Galifinakis' agent, Jake, falls short for me. He just isn't in the same league as a dramatic actor with these others. It's fun to see him try, but he falls short, resorting to over-acting at times.
Director and Writer Alejandro Gonazlez Inarritu creates an interesting world, but I wanted him to flesh out the supporting characters more and rely on the gimmick less.
if he did, I might have cared a little more at the end as to what happens to Keaton's character. But, as it is, I didn't.
6 (out of 10) stars. And you can take that to the Bank (of Marquis)