More than amazing acting for an story seen hundred times

Rating: 6/10 (31 December 2015)

That "Birdman" is a self-conscious movie, that thinks too high of itself and that doesn't care is obvious from the moment it starts. For sure, it looks beautiful, and the actors do an amazing job, but this doesn't change the fact that the movie is looking at itself the whole time and saying: I'm great.
The story doesn't really matter. Washed-up actor Riggan (a Michael Keaton that eats the screen and keeps the movie going even in its low points) decides to put a Broadway play where he will be director, actor and adapt an story by Raymond Carver. That's all an excuse for cool camera work, meta-dialogues, tongue-in-cheek situations and the same story of actor that wants to give himself a last chance, that left his family for his work, that is known by a blockbuster but not recognized by his acting... It has to be said that all the actors more than deliver, because behind Michael Keaton's center piece, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis (more toned down than usually, which is an improvement) or Naomi Watts do an excellent job. Iñárritu's work with scenery is very good too, showy but assured.
But that the movie knows that it's playing with the convention doesn't save from itself patting its own back constantly, with even some unnecessary shots at blockbusters, plastic surgery, etc... You don't have to tell that you are great if you are really great.
Nonetheless, it is a movie really worth watching, even if it is just to see Michael Keaton's astonishing interpretation.