Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Michael Keaton's awesome performance...

Rating: 8/10 (9 January 2015)

Michael Keaton plays a washed-up actor, best known in his heyday as the star of the "Birdman" comic-book films, now trying to rejuvenate his name by writing, directing and starring in his own play on Broadway. From the opening beats (literally), I was transported into the fragile psyche of Riggan Thomas - a mind haunted by former glories and struggling to atone for a failing career, a failed marriage and an estranged daughter. The film is cleverly shot to seem as one long continuous take and unravels much like a play in itself. We meet the supporting characters, most notably an ego-obsessed actor (a superbly funny Edward Norton) and Riggan's angst-ridden daughter (a convincing Emma Stone) as he struggles to balance them all and himself while preparing for the play's opening night. Norton, Stone and the rest of the great cast (including Naomi Watts, Zack Galifianakis and Andrea Riseborough) are all on fine formbut this is Keaton's show. With ironic symmetry to his own career (I'm sure I don't need to remind you he was once Batman and a much bigger name 20 years ago) he gives Riggan a very personal touch, which may have or may not have been intended. A character desperately trying to escape his own narcissism, is given a brutally honest, captivating and heartfelt performance. The film may be a left field, almost avant-garde for some - it's not for your average popcorn muncher – but its' a highly refreshing experience. Just don't go in expecting a superhero film. Birdman is quite the opposite.