Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance

 If there is one thing that I will hold deeply to my grave, it's that Michael Keaton gave the best live action performance as Batman, better than everyone else. Christian Bale may have done his fair share, but it's still no where near as good as what Keaton gave back in the late 80's and early 90's. As someone who enjoys the original Burton Batman films, it would make sense that I would enjoy Michael Keaton's newest film, “Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance.”

In this film, Michael Keaton plays Riggin Thompson, an actor who was best known for playing a big shot superhero, but is now trying to make a better name for himself, by directing and starring in a Broadway play. However, he comes across many complications that come with doing a stage show, as well as fighting a little voice in his head that's trying to pull him back into that shell of his former self.

Not only does this stand as one of the best films of this year, this is one of the greatest films I have ever seen in my life. The acting is phenomenal, especially on Michael Keaton's part. It's as if he's playing a fictionalized version of himself, and it does feel like that the whole way through. He has his inner struggles, but we also feel sympathy for him as a guy who just wants to be respected. Edward Norton, who plays his co-star in the play, is equally as good as Keaton in this film, playing a big shot who thinks he's better than everyone and trying to make the play his own, overshadowing Keaton. Norton's character is believable, because I have known PLENTY of people who are like that, when it comes to the stage. The chemistry that these two share and seeing them work off each other is just fascinating to watch, it was hard to pick who NOT to keep your eyes on. I mean, where else do you get a scene where Batman smacks the Incredible Hulk in his underwear, with a newspaper, then wrestle him? You just can't, and that's why it's awesome.

The supporting cast featuring Emma Stone, Zach Galifinakis, Andrea Riseborough, and Naomi Watts, are also entertaining to watch as well. Stone plays Riggin's pot addict daughter, and she plays it off so well. She tries to remind him that he's in a fantasy and that all he thinks about is himself being successful with the play, instead of her. Galifinakis plays the stage manager, and he also has some great lines and chemistry with Keaton, as someone who wants everything to go right and have no screw ups. Interesting enough, Galifinakis actually asked Edward Norton if this is what it's like to be in a good movie, because he hadn't really done a film quite like this before. I would have to say yes to that, Mr. G. Watts and Riseborough, as the two main actresses of the play, give excellent performances as well, especially Watts. If you've seen the movie, you'll know what I mean.

Aside from the acting, there are two main elements that are what keep this film going strong. One is obviously the direction, which is helped by the cinematography and editing. Throughout the entire film, you feel as if it's all one continuous shot the whole way through, with some very clever editing effects. There are moments where you can tell when they did cut, but like I said, the editing is so good that it doesn't even phase me. Not only that, but the film adds in the potential hazards that could go wrong with a play, that only stage actors could know how bad it is. Getting locked out and having to go around, improvising without the needed prop, adding in moments that aren't in the script, and other stuff like that.

The other element is the dialogue, which is really clever and neatly written, as the entire script pokes fun at the superheroes of today, and how they all feel like a trend that's way past its due. The film even pokes fun at most critic's thinking process, when Riggen gives this huge monologue towards the theatre critic, played by Lindsay Duncan. Every single word of dialogue that is said out of Keaton's mouth about critics is ENTIRELY true. I've known and even LIVED with people who are those cynical assholes who will go and see something, and say it sucks without giving it a chance in the slightest, whether it'd be just for one person or maybe even reminding them of something else. Yeah, I have had moments like that in the past beforehand, but I've learned to grow past that long ago. I may go into films some films with low expectations, but that doesn't automatically mean I will hate it. Films like “Snow White & The Huntsman,” “Magic Mike,” “The Help,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” and even “The Amazing Spiderman 1&2” are films I had low hopes for, but ended up loving them. I'm an example of someone who has a little thing called “an open mind.”

Overall, “Birdman” is a film that defines amazement. This film has been getting a lot of Oscar buzz, mostly on Michael Keaton for “Best Actor.” If that happens, I hope the Academy will be smart and at least nominate him. And if he's the one I love over the other nods, then he might as well be given the trophy right then and there.

Rating: 10/10