Birdman

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Michael

I'd been anticipating this film for a while. It's certainly great fun. And yet I was surprised how simple the story is, it's one we've seen before but here, a lot of the fun is derived from the way the story is told and the characters/actors telling it.

I do like my one take wonders. And the majority of this film plays out in one long take, despite the jumps of time and on the odd occasion, location. There's also a few times they switch the camera being used because of lighting restrictions. Emmanuel Lubezki always delivers the goods.

A hectic backstage Broadway is the setting for our protagonists mental breakdown. The struggle with ego a tough one, especially for an actor. They make a very literal statement at the end of the film, a bold choice that's usually taken as metaphor. But that's the kind of film it is. filled with dream sequences and slips in and out of reality, made all the more interesting by the continuous take never quite letting you delineate which is which.

The cast across the board are wonderful. Michael Keaton is front and centre and it's great to have him back. Edward Norton seems to be having fun playing the method actor from hell. Emma Stone makes for a great brat.

Although the film was telling a simple tale it does so with flair and is very funny to boot. Nice kinetic drum score too. Really great stuff.