Brilliantly self-aware, satirical and visually extremely unique...

Rating: 10/10 (17 February 2015)

This was the last of the 8 'Best Picture' nominees from 2015 that I saw, and I was terrified of watching it. "Birdman" had received a huge amount of hype over the lead up to the Oscars, and what if I only liked it because I thought I was supposed to? I went into the film ready to critique every tiny detail, to be annoyed by it and to go against the crowd. What made the film even more incredible, therefore, is how much I enjoyed it by the end. "Birdman" completely took me into its world and made me adore it, not allowing me to find anything to be annoyed at. It's brilliantly self-aware, satirical and visually extremely unique, and what's more, it deserves every single nomination it's been given.
In a plot that mirrors real life in no way whatsoever, Michael Keaton plays Riggan Thompson, an actor who cannot escape the shadow of the superhero he once played on film. Thompson has written, directed and is starring in a new play on Broadway in an attempt to revive a serious dramatic career, but not a lot is going right. He is forced to hire Mike Shiner, a self-absorbed actor with whom he is constantly at odds, and as a result every one of the previews goes in a very unexpected direction. Also at the heart of the film is his strained relationship with his daughter, played by Emma Stone, and with the two female members of his cast, played by Andrea Riseborough and Naomi Watts.
The film builds up towards Opening Night, with everything making Thompson more and more stressed – he's convinced that the reviews are going to be terrible, that everything will go wrong. Making matters worse is the voice in the back of his head, that of his on screen alter-ego, Birdman. Birdman is frequently reminding him of how much of a failure he is, and it eventually drives Thompson to various breakdowns from which he does build himself back up. One scene involving Thompson flying about New York and becoming a superhero once again is visually stunning and a brilliant moment in his character development.
It would be impossible to talk about the film without mentioning the visual effect at its core – the trick of making everything look like one continuous take. Iñárritu pulls it off masterfully, making it noticeable but not detracting from the on-screen action one bit. It merely complements the winding corridors of the theatre and makes everything seem almost dreamlike. The script is constantly sharp and very witty, never taking itself too seriously. This is crucial, especially given the huge amount of "high art" that is referenced throughout the film. Everything from Jorge Luis Borges and Shakespeare to Mahler and Ravel is referenced throughout the film, and it takes huge risks at seeming unbelievably pretentious. Because you know that satire is at its heart, especially given the constant pop- culture references and deep conversations about the nature of art/celebrity, it's all very tongue-in-cheek and you're allowed to enjoy these artistic name-drops.
Having only seen one Michael Keaton film before, that being the underwhelming Batman film that "Birdman" is partially satirising, I didn't know what to expect, but I thought his performance here was outstanding. He brings across the mental struggle of his character perfectly, and also never stops being believable – the scene where he rushes through Times Square in his tighty-whiteys is hilarious, and Keaton suspends your disbelief the perfect amount so that it never stops feeling true. The supporting performances work very well, and Norton, Stone and Zach Galifianakis are all very good throughout. There is far too much good stuff to mention here, but visual effects, set dressing (nothing feels glamorous and that adds to the realism) and music all deserve a look in.
So, "Birdman". I made myself want to hate it just in case, and it made me love it. I adored the artistry of it all, was entirely captivated by its world and found every element fascinating. Perhaps the messages about art, criticism, celebrity and social media struck me most, but I think it could appeal to anyone. Definitely a very strong contender in this year's Oscar race.