Movie Review - Birdman

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) ***½ (OUT OF 5) (R) If the title looks a bit off, it double duty, setting the table for the disorienting dramedy that follows. Michael Keaton, famous largely for two epic turns as Batman, plays an aging movie star, fallen on hard times after his glory days as big-screen superhero, Birdman. Now he’s struggling to revive his career, scratch his way back to solvency, and finally gain respect as a legitimate actor by launching a rather turgid Broadway drama. The film covers the chaotic week of final preparations for opening night, in the face of a torrent of personal and professional clashes.

A key co-star craps out, causing a seemingly lucky upgrade in his replacement (Edward Norton), before he turns into a mixed blessing. Keaton’s far-from-loving daughter (Emma Stone) is hanging around as a production assistant, while working out plenty of her own issues. Stars notwithstanding, the viewing experience is dominated by pace and staging, as cameras follow the players through a maze of backstage passageways and rooms, as one conflict morphs into another. There’s sort a cinema verite feel to the proceedings, as we struggle to keep track of the rises, falls, gains and losses swirling around the theater. The tale unfolds so weirdly that Zach Galifianakis, as Keaton’s staunchest ally and producer, plays the sanest one in the bunch! How’s that for a sentence his legions of fans never expected to read?

As problems pile up, Keaton seems constantly on the verge of losing his sanity, his investment, and maybe more. Moments of dark comedy keep us off balance with the ceaseless waves of petty spats, old grudges and major clashes that plague the production, and may exhaust many among ts audience. Despite some shortcomings in the script, exceptional ensemble performances, and deft direction in claustrophobic settings by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who also shares credit for the screenplay, make this a unique moviegoing experience that rewards those who make the effort to follow the travails of these troupers. (10/24/14)