Film No. 84 (2014) Birdman. December 13th.

Film No. 84 (2014) December 13th.  10.30 AM LUNA Leederville.

Birdman


Birdman is very definitely one of the most unique film experiences people will have in their cinema going lifetime. It's a big call I know but I'm confident of my prediction. The seamless movement from scene to scene in what seems like a single two hour take is masterful. The theme of one man proving to the world that he is not washed up takes us into the world of theatre. Therefore the original techniques of recreating live drama on stage via film must be convincing and Birdman achieves its objective in spades.

I'm reminded of Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler (2009) as we meet Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), a character who wants to break the shackles of his franchised career path as a superhero actor. Like Rourke, Keaton (Batman) tasted major success briefly before fading as the roles dried up and aging process took its toll. Keaton is not as weathered as Rourke was but the reinvigoration of a career via a masterful film is definitely worth comparing. Both actors dared to put their talents on the line, both were courageous and more importantly both succeeded.

To explain the narrative of Birdman is pointless. We simply need to know a famous actor needs to prove he is talented beyond the narrow range of the Birdman franchise he's known for. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel) seems to enjoy the chance to innovate on film as he assembles a cast including Edward Norton, Naomi Watts and Emma Stone who all bring convincing characters to the screen, the sum of whom will either make or break Thomson in his quest to succeed. 

The premise that Riggan Thompson needs to prove himself using live theatre as his vehicle will only work if we suffer the anxieties of previews, opening nights, unreliable cast members, an anxious agent, critics and his own perceived powers. We do, and we are manipulated around this claustrophobic environment with such precision that we are left breathless. I have just one criticism; the ending left me flat but I may be to blame. I need  a repeat viewing, I'm loath to have any criticism of this film. 11GUMS.