The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance

Birdman

Everyone has the need to feel wanted. This need is a way for us to validate ourselves in relevancy.  I think that this holds true for one group of people the most... Celebrities. I don't think there is any other group of people that need to feel loved as badly as they do. They come into our lives very quickly and exit just as fast. Though, this year one film gives us a glimpse at what it must be like for an aging actor trying desperately to hold onto some sort of purpose. That film is Fox Searchlight Films', Birdman.

One time on-screen superhero, Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton Batman) is trying to make some sort of comeback. Thomson’s plan to achieve this is by taking his talents to Broadway and adapting one of his favorite short stories, “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" by Raymond Carver. Writing, directing, and starting in his adaptation, Thomson is trying to make this play as successful as possible. For Thomson to achieve this, he must overcome arrogant actors, snobby theater critics, and most importantly his own inner voices.

 People in the 1940s thought that Orson Welles was insane for making Citizen Kane the way he did.  Now that film is considered the best film ever made. Film schools across the country dissect Citizen Kane from every aspect and I truly believe that those same schools will do the same to this film. Birdman is not the greatest film ever made, but it is one of them. This film achieves so much from a technical and acting stand point.

Let's start with the acting, shall we? Michael Keaton plays Riggan Thomson and this role is about as realistic for Keaton as it gets. The great thing about this role though is Keaton is able to give us more insight into Thomson’s psychological state of mind. Keaton makes the audience sympathize with Thomson very well. Edward Norton (American History X) is Mike Shiner, a renowned Broadway actor who becomes very difficult to work with. Norton perfectly encompasses this arrogant stage actor and successfully makes Shiner likeable by the end of the film. Norton accomplishes this by slowly peeling back the layers of Shiner to where the audience sees that all Shiner wants is what everyone in this film wants...relevancy.

Relevancy is the key word in the ideology of this film. The writers show that everyone wants to be noticed and not forgotten. Thomson puts on a Broadway play, Shiner is difficult to work with, and even Thomson’s daughter (Emma Stone Amazing Spider - Man) is resentful toward her father for not noticing her when she was younger. Each character in this film wants to be noticed and it is quite entertaining to watch them try and accomplish that feat.

Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel) creates another beautiful film with Birdman. Inarritu achieves something that is rarely done in film; he shoots this movie in what seems as one continuous take. This tactic works very well for the film because it gives the movie a play-like feel to it. Due to the “continuous" shot, Inarritu sensationally gets his actors to hit their cues very well. The whole film wouldn't have worked if those cues weren't hit perfectly.

This film is aesthetically beautiful on all levels. From the writing to the acting, Birdman gives the audience an astounding film that will resonate with everyone for a very long time.

The Verdict: See in theaters