By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.75 cats
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Starring: Amy Ryan | Damian Young | Ed Norton | Emma Stone | Merrit Wever | Michael Keaton | Susan Blackwell | Zach Galifianakis
Country: united_states
Year: 2014
Running time: 119
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/combined
Diane says: “Too bad I didn’t get it, before seeing BIRDMAN, that the real-life career of its star, Michael Keaton, peaked with the BATMAN movies. But the story of an actor trying to make a comeback–this time by writing, directing, and starring in a play on Broadway–is generic enough to work even with the clueless.
“Shot impressively in what looks like one long take (but see the details of the d.p.’s tricks on Youtube: ‘Variety Artisans: The Seamless Look of Birdman’), BIRDMAN features great actors (Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone), the ups and downs of a life and a play (but a few too many, making the ending a bit tedious), and sharp plot turns. It’s one of those movies where you have to sit back and enjoy the ride.
“Definitely a nom for Cinematography. Charging down the back corridors of the St. James Theater, one step ahead of the actors, is a hoot. Alejandro Inarritu (AMORES PERROS, BABEL) directed. 4 cats”
Michael says: “I’ll say one thing about BIRDMAN, it’s definitely the best Best Movie Academy Award-winning movie I’ve seen in a good number of years. Alejandro González Iñárritu brings his finest work since AMORES PERROS, but it’s still a bit of a slick, well-acted, but over-ambitious spectacle. There are so many big themes BIRDMAN is trying to comment on that several threads lose their way partway through the film. I feel if Iñárritu had narrowed his focus to one or two major themes, and left the others in the background, BIRDMAN might have been more successful. While many praised the jazz drumming score, I found it annoying and intrusive. That said, the camerawork and cinematography are top-notch, and the acting, including Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, and Amy Ryan, is so strong. Add to that a brief appearance by none other than Susan Blackwell as Intermission Woman, and I have to say overall I enjoyed the film. 3 1/2 cats”