[av_heading heading=’Alejandro Iñárritu and Michael Keaton Create Birdman’ tag=’h1′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
Written by: Matthew McGuire
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Art is all about creation, and the film Birdman is a work of art.
Birdman, a film directed and written by Alejandro Iñárritu, is located in downtown Manhattan, New York. The St. James Theater is highlighted within the many grand theaters on Broadway for this film.
Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Stone and a solid list of strong actors/actresses filled the cast.
The film is set in modern day, and uses discussion about current trends and perspectives.
A main reason for anyone to see this film is to hopefully have a moment of clarity within themselves no matter their occupation or title.
This review itself is a major undertaking in a lot of ways. The film takes a look at the entertainment industry, as well as the journalism industry. It delivers several key points on how the two industries intermesh with one another.
At one point, Keaton’s character, Riggan Thomson, confronts a journalist about their writing, and methods to reviewing a play. He points out the technique, and passion behind acting that can be overlooked by a cynic eye.
As a writer, artist, journalist, and human being, I felt the pain of the subjects that can be torn apart emotionally from opinionated words in a review.
Two years ago, I was doing a review on a local record store that was closing in town. The owner and I had talked for hours about the place, and he was letting me film during the last day.
The owner noticed me filming, and was removing a shelf. He knew the shelf that he was removing would fall if I didn’t step in and help him. He let me decide to either film it or help, I decided to help. It is giving a piece of yourself to support the greater good of the whole.
One major element that I think is missing from movie reviews, content in general on the Web, and in the majority of films, it is heart and soul. It is the unselfish nature that Edward Norton captured perfectly.
He plays an actor, Mike, that is brought in after a freak accident on stage. The role Norton played had to be a strong actor for the lines that he needed to produce. He worked well giving texture to the character.
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It is the emotional vulnerability that Zach Galifianakis lent to the project.
This review mirrors that emotion, it opens the door to failure, and being rejected from a professional community of writers, as well as giving constructive feedback on the film.
The psychology behind the film would be a field day for any therapist. Keaton’s character seems to be going through the symptoms of schizophrenia by hearing voices in his head that does not appear to be his subconsciousness speaking to him. The film plays on what his mind is considering real, and reality.
Emma Stone nails every second on film. Each actor took their role and created amazing depth to go along with the well-written screenplay.
Iñárritu did a superb job with this academy award winning film. The film won an Oscar for Best Film last month, and recently hit multiple platforms for home entertainment viewing.
The cinematography, and thought put into elaborate scenes makes this film visually stunning, as well as intellectually engaging on several levels.
Watch the trailer for Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) out on Fox Searchlight.
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Film News
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