Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you enjoy theatre.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 119 minutes (~2 hours)
“Birdman” is a black comedy about the attempts of washed up film star Riggan Thomson to produce a play that will jumpstart his career – and the perils that he faces. It stars Michael Keaton (Riggan Thomson), Zach Galifianakis (Jake), Edward Norton (Mike Shiner), Andrea Riseborough (Laura0, Amy Ryan (Sylvia), Emma Stone (Sam Thomson), and Naomi Watts (Lesley).
“Birdman” is a strange dichotomy of powerful meaning and pretentious outbursts. But it works. The movie is presented as if it were one long take, with varying results – it feels forced at times, but segues beautifully from character to character at others.
Also, thanks to the nature of the story and the setting, this ostensible pretension actually works in the favour of the movie, serving to highlight the themes of the film while still giving it that grandiose, theatrical element that would be out of place in any other film.
Highlights
Thoughtful, powerful symbolism
There’s a great deal of symbolism, both overt and subtle, and this lends a deeper meaning to the film that will provoke much thought provoking discussion in time to come. Most of it is effectively used and paid off properly (such as with the Birdman/mask imagery), providing unsaid insights to the characters.
Intense conflicts
When the characters clash, their conflicts are huge, emotional duels. It would be overacting if not for the fact that they are meant to be Broadway performers, and hence the sheer rawness of their feelings works to keep you emotionally invested in their fates.
Excellent performances from cast
With the exception of Michael Keaton, the rest of the characters provide amazing, multi-dimensional portrayals of flawed characters in search of identity. Even the less likeable characters draw your empathy, as they give you a glimpse of the world from their pained perspectives.
Tongue-in-cheek comments
The film never takes itself too seriously, allowing for many instances of dark humour to surface, most of it poking fun at the nature of theatre and broadcast without breaking the fourth wall. This allows for many quirky, self-referential jokes to be well woven in.
Letdowns
Some symbols, like the band, feel indulgent
Sadly, not all of the symbolism works. The most grating one has to be that of a band (that provides the score) that appears out of nowhere at the most randomly pointless moments. Undoubtedly it’s done for humourous effect, but it feels more like artistic indulgence than a stylistic choice.
Riggan Thomson is not a sympathetic character
Perhaps he has too many flaws, or it’s the way Riggan handles life’s curveballs at him. Regardless, he feels like he’s channelling angst for the sake of it, and you just want to yell at him to get over his life already. True, it generates strong emotions from the audience, but you won’t be rooting for him to win.
“Birdman” lingers in your mind long after viewing it – is it a work of art, or does it cross the line into inaccessible art film? It’s an enjoyable ride for sure, but it leaves you with conflicting feelings about it’s true appeal.
“Birdman” opens in cinemas 15 January, 2014 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo Singapore.
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