Welcome to the world of Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) or as the world knows him, Birdman. The actor is the star of a multi-million dollar international superhero franchise. Riggan is also well past his prime, ie: washed up and hasn't actually made a sequel to the blockbuster series everyone is STILL waiting for in nearly two decades. In an attempt to resurge his career and establish his legacy outside of Hollywood, Thomson has chosen to bet the farm (and his house), along with his lawyer Jake (Zach Galifianakis) on his latest project, a personally scripted, produced and directed adaptation of Raymond Carver's book 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love'...on Broadway.
A novice on all things Broadway, Riggan is channeling all aspects of his experience in order to make the project a success while he battles Mike Shiner (Ed Norton) a brilliant Broadway actor with intentions of stealing the limelight. Add to the mix his ongoing conflicts with recovering drug addict daughter Sam (Emma Stone) and his ex-girlfriend Leslie (Naomi Watts: Dream House, J Edgar) and it gets no easier. The catalyst is Broadway critic Tabitha Dickinson (Lindsay Duncan: Rome), who has made it clear that she despises Hollywood types. They have no training or discipline and lack an understanding or appreciation for the art that is acting. The Broadway community, bends to her will and she has every intention of destroying Thomson's play in 200 words or less. No pressure. Then there's Birdman. He periodically visits Riggan, longing for their glory days of explosions, fanfare and millions. These visits are often accompanied by displays of telekinesis. Weird right? Yeah. That's what the Brothers and I thought. Very, but it works.
What also works is Birdman's almost seamless progression through the movie. We tend to follow characters between established scenes instead of a series of cuts. This works well to establish the sense of urgency throughout the film. Keaton's and Norton's are add to Birdman's legitimacy as each of their character's could represent their own careers on some level.
That said, check out Birdman. You'll be glad you did...
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