Birdman Review: A Cinematic, Thought Provoking Masterpiece

In all my years of exploring countless of various different movies in cinema history, Birdman is by far one of the most fascinating and beautifully crafted dramas that I have ever laid my eyes on. If the filmmaking style alone doesn't deeply immerse you into its story and characters then the performances will surely toss you out of your seat and into the psychological conflict living within the protagonist. Without giving away too much, Birdman centers its attention on the character of Riggan Thomson who is presented to us as a slowly fading cinema icon once famously known for playing the superhero "Birdman" (played ironically and with a stellar performance by Michael Keaton). 

Of course with Michael Keaton being widely known for his role as Batman in the Tim Burton movies, this was one of the more rarer instances of "perfect casting" that I've come across especially in moment where we get to witness his commentary on today's superhero blockbuster titles. Such fitting moments involving The Avengers movie alongside Robert Downey Jr. being name dropped, which Riggan proclaims himself as being the "real deal" in comparison, gave the film an unexpected self aware fun factor that I quite enjoyed. I just loved the idea of Birdman's world supposedly existing in our own reality allowing for both the dramatic and comedic elements to feel slightly much more grounded which was interesting to experience.

Throughout the film, the story juggles through smaller side plots by its supporting cast while also focusing on the central story of Riggan struggling to get back on his feet through the workings of a critical career changing broadway play. I mentioned briefly before about Keaton's stellar performance in this role as the audience gets to watch him drive a significant portion of this film on sheer acting chops alone. However, this is an ensemble piece with several characters acting as supportive tissue to Keaton's character pushing his story along in different directions while they have their own individual conflicts to resolve. 

In the supporting cast, we have Zach Galifianakis, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Amy Ryan, and Andrea Riseborough who all manages to deliver some of their best performances yet. No one necessarily outshines the other (although there are a couple of characters that deservingly gets a greater deal of spotlight for story purposes). For example, Edward Norton's performance as this self-absorbed jerk who cares only about his personal endeavors and career, stole every single scene whenever his character was the main focus. The same can be said regarding some of Zach Galifianakis' (who honestly surprised me with how amazing his performance was) and Emma Stone's spotlight moments where the actors really got to stretch their talents onscreen. 

With a cast this stacked filled with several talents dishing out noteworthy performances, there are quite a few dramatically powerful moments that deservingly commanded some award to be given. Suffice it to say, Birdman is as Oscar-worthy as they come where quality cinema is regarded. As far as the Riggan character, I found it really fascinating that what we basically saw was a visually expressive and in-depth look at this character's psyche during a specific pivotal point in his life. We see this person slowly decompose into a puddle of doubt due to constant reminders of his failures through conflicting scenarios with other people. And as I highlighted before, the key for this idea to truly have the impact that it needs is primarily found in Keaton's magnetic and versatile performance.

That being said, putting the grounded dramatic element aside, the most interesting part of this film for me comes with Riggan's Birdman persona. This is the foundation from which the popular discussion of whether or not this film is considered a Superhero genre title gets tossed around into the world of audience perspective and speculation. Throughout the film, we're given these astonishing moments of visual spectacle where Riggan can be seen levitating an object at his own will or even flying into the sky at one point. What's really brilliant and unique about these particular scenes is the way in which each "super powered" moment would transition towards some form of reality grounding explanation without ever actually discussing it.

For example, there is a great shot of Riggan taking flight and sweeping through the city whilst speaking to himself through his Birdman persona. Moments later, after he lands and walks into a theater, an angry taxi driver is shown following right behind him demanding payment for the trip. Again, we're not officially told what really happened in that scene, but it clearly implies that Riggan took a cab to his destination (and not paying the fee) imagining the entire flight as some personal escapist fantasy of his. It's only later on in the ending sequence do we get something very interesting and special that either negates the past scenes of him having legitimate super abilities or completely confirms it depending on your interpretation and observational skills. 

Now speaking on the directional style approach utilized here, one of my favorite types of shots used in film are what's called a "long take" or a "oner" which can be seen in films such as Children of Men, Goodfellas, Gravity, Touch of Evil, and so on. Some films utilize this style to emphasize on the intensity or suspense building of a singular onscreen scenario by showing an uninterrupted scene of action taking place. In regards to Birdman, not only are we artistically treated with amazing shots of transitioning characters entering different environments and confrontations back to back, but it's all done with the effect of feeling like a never ending moment. It's truly a technical feat to behold and deserves every bit of notoriety for its masterful craftsmanship. 

This artistic masterpiece is of course credited to director Alejandro González Iñárritu (who directed the aforementioned Children of Men which was one of my favorite movies of that year) as he takes this style and breaks new ground alongside his team of phenomenal editors and cinematographers. Not only is the visual style and execution exceptionally immaculate, but it also takes an amazing writer and director to juggle such a massively scaled dramatic ensemble piece. Alejandro has to keep various different character plot points interesting while also entertaining the audience all the way through all in the prism of a daunting technological undertaking surrounding a rarely used cinematic style. I can't emphasize enough just how much of an accomplishment this film really is. 

Overall, Birdman is not only one of the greatest films of 2014, but it's also a masterpiece of filmmaking period and should deservingly be in the discussion for greatest performances and filmmaking achievements in the future. Rarely, do we get a film that not only significantly challenges itself, but also simultaneously delivers on every single aspect that it set out to do in its overall layout of ideas. It's not often that I get to throw this term around, but I'm gonna use it here as I do feel that it's genuinely warranted. Birdman is simply put a classic and is most certainly one of my most highly recommended films to date.

Bonus Content

1. Riggan's Fate Foreshadowed Through Cinema

There's a Phantom of the Opera poster that frequently shows up in the background that, now retrospectively looking back, has been a visual clue along for Riggan's eventual medical state towards the end.

2. Is The Soundtrack Diegetic or Non-Diegetic?

Interestingly enough, what has been perceived by the audience as simply being percussion heavy background music actually becomes an element within the world itself as the drummer behind it frequently shows up during certain scenes. This adds into the concept of Riggan having his own theme music as a traditional superhero (his career defining acting role and questionable psychological fantasy) would. 

3. We Have To Talk About That Ending

During the final moments of Birdman, Riggan is shown getting out of his hospital bed and removing his facial bandages to reveal a new surgically altered and larger nose (almost beak-like?). He glances over to see his Birdman persona using the bathroom besides him (which several interpretations can be made regarding that particularly bizarre imagery) and decides to eventually leap out the hospital window. Since the film was very ambiguous about him actually having powers or not, I felt this ending almost confirmed at the very least that this specific display was in fact real...or was it?

The fact that his daughter runs up to the open window and fearfully glances down to apparently see no sign of him until glancing up and smiling in disbelief is thought provoking. Can we surmise that the actor finally becomes what he always wanted to be manifesting his fantasy into reality? Or is there perhaps a much more darker yet twisted conclusion of him committing suicide with one final fantasized image before his death being the thought of his daughter witnessing his idealized truth?  I love the fact that they left it open to interpretation as both answers (with room for other speculations) can all lead to interesting discussions down the road.

Rating: 10/10