Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) film review

Year: 2014
Running Time: 119 minutes
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Writers: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo
Cast: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Ryan

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) will open in Australian cinemas on January 15 and is distributed by 20th Century Fox. Now showing in the United States and United Kingdom.

Michael Keaton playing an ex-superhero actor in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) sounds like it could well be autobiographical. However, that it isn't and that's a beautiful thing. Birdman is a remarkable cinematic experience that showcases exquisite cinematography and editing, wonderful performances and a highly entertaining screenplay, which all show beyond doubt the filmmaking brilliance of director and co-writer Inarritu. Though the film is mostly bleak in it's outlook of life and love, it does have it's underlying uplifting themes hidden in it's black humour and slight surrealism.

Riggan Thomas (Michael Keaton), the film actor who's most memorable role is that of superhero Birdman, is trying to make his acting comeback on the stage by directing and starring in an adaptation of 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love". He puts everything on the line for this play including his finances and reputation, but also his relationship with his daughter, Sam (Emma Stone) who is fresh out of rehab and acting as his PA. Riggon can't seem to catch a break on his stage with the actions of his erratic actors (especially the unpredictable latecomer Mike (Edward Norton)) and mishaps stopping the company from having a perfect run through before opening night and making Riggan believe that maybe he really is just Birdman.

Birdman is absolutely superb film making. The screenplay is incredibly detailed and unpredictable with colourful dialogue that is witty, hilarious and entertaining. Riggan's story treads the line between realism and surrealism which could make it hard for some to figure out, but is an unique method of ensuring the films unpredictability. Inarritu ensures that the characters of Broadway and their situations are realistic to those of the world theatre world, but has fun in letting anything go with Riggan and his Birdman alter ego. The relationship between Riggan and Birdman is a particularly interesting one. Like many actors who are typecast as a result of an iconic role they have played, Riggan is trying to be rid of the Birdman persona he is known by and the voice of the character who has become a part of him in his head. However, it would seem that Riggan cannot be separated from Birdman so the two are actually one in the same. What the film is saying here is that rather than be ashamed of the past, one needs to take the best of what the past gave you and believe that you are special for it and only then will others believe that you are special. Birdman does this in an extremely innovative, memorable and unexpected way.

Birdman's brilliance is not at all limited to it's screenplay. Inarritu's piece of cinematic art plays with the technical side of the form and makes the film visually captivating. The impression is given that Birdman is filmed in one shot, but it is the incredible use of sly editing which makes this possible. The camera produces what seems to be one long tracking shot, in which characters are followed by the camera to where the next scene takes place. This was extremely ambitious, but executed so well that it is genius. It feels as though the camera is a living being running after each of the characters and moving from side to side with haste as if listening to and watching characters address each other. The musical score is also unique with the large majority of it being primarily percussion and this fits right in with the Broadway atmosphere. Although the majority of the film is set inside the St James Theatre in New York City, when the characters step outside one can feel the cool city air and the bustle of being on the ground or the feeling of freedom being removed when looking down on Times Square.

With this role, Michael Keaton completely reinvents himself. No one ever doubted Keaton's ability as an actor, but with his portrayal of the desperate Riggan he undoubtedly gives the best performance of his career. It would have been expected for his character to be distraught about not being able to break free of his Birdman persona and although there are hints at this annoyance, this is not what his performance is about. It is about a man who is desperate in every area of his life and who's life keeps intercepting with the role he is playing on stage. Keaton has many shining moments and his Riggan is a character which the viewer truly cares about and connects with.

Emma Stone, like Keaton, gives the best performance of her career. She gives a controlled but evolving performance throughout the film, though she has one truly spectacular scene with Keaton filmed in close up in which her dialogue is brilliantly delivered but her expressions speaks louder than words. Edward Norton is also very good as Mike, an actor who relies greatly on the practise of method acting and struggles to understand who he is away from the stage as a result. Norton captures the notion of being confidant in not knowing who you are perfectly. Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough and Zach Galifinakis all also shine in their roles.

Birdman is a cinematic triumph in so many areas. Inarritu has not only brought out the very best in all of his actors, but has also created a fine piece of cinema artwork.

9/10

Due Date

Due Date
Year: 2010
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis

In My Own Words
I'm a prude. I can't help it. I will go to some films and get completely grossed out by some things. But...being a movie critic, I need to suck it up princess. I need to see past all the crude jokes I see in some films and review it as a whole. I mean, if you're a critic and review a film based on your personal interests and tastes only, you're going to be a pretty lousy critic. You're only going to connect with those who are exactly like you and let's face it, nobody is exactly like you so the only person you are connecting with is yourself. Of course you should always be true to yourself and not do and say things just to please other people, but you have got to judge a film for the whole package which it is. "Due Date" is one of those films which has scenes which made me squirm in my seat and just turn anyway. I won't say too much because it will be a spoiler...but for those who have seen it, the dog's scene in the car when they are trying to sleep. But whatever turns you on, really. I think perhaps the film that personally grossed me out the most was "Van Wilder: Party Liasion" and the scene that grossed me out the most in that film also involved a god. What is it about animals that makes film makers want to make gross scenes about them? Again, this is just me. There are millions of people out there who have different taste than me. So I won't talk again about this issue in my review. Thats what "In My Own Words" is for.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
"Due Date" has been hailed as the new "The Hangover". It does share many similarities...Todd Phillips is once again the director, it's about a male bonding experience and Zach Galifianakis once again appears as the "strange" guy. Yes, there is definately similarities, but it is not the next "The Hangover". Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) is on his way back from Atlanta to Los Angeles to be there for the birth of his first child. Unfortunately, due to a number of unfortunate events, all due to aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay ( Zach Galifianakis), he gets denied boarding on his flight, losing his wallet and having to find his own way across the country back to his wife, Sarah (Michelle Monaghan). With a travelling partner like Ethan, this is going to be no easy journey.

Being as "Due Date" does have so many similarities to "The Hangover", one may be forgiven for believing that this is the sequel. It also takes in elements from Todd Phillips other films such as "Old School" and "Road Trip". Therefore, the making of this film would have almost been a walk in the park for Phillips', it's not like it is something he hasn't done before. So all up, he does direct the film well. He certainly knows what he is doing when it comes to editing, camer angle choices and casting for this film. Even though "Due Date" isn't as funny as his last film, it would be unfair to say that the film isn't funny at all. There is some clever dialogue and clever verbal jokes, although they are not the most original jokes. For example, one can always see where a tin of someone's ashes in a comedy is going. The humour won't be to everyone's liking, but if you have enjoyed Phillips' in the past you will enjoy this film. The direction where the film is going is also very predictable, no guessing is really needed for the end. As they say though, it's the journey that matters, not the destination.

Zach Galifianakis plays exactly the same role as he played of Alan in "The Hangover", there is just more of him. Some of his antics are quite funny, but others are again just predictable and after time can just get quite annoying. There is no doubt that Galifianakis can play other roles as we did see him do in "Up In The Air", this just seems to be familiar and safe territory for him. He doesn't do the role badly at all, and he serves his purpose as the painful travel partner well. On the other hand, Robert Downey Jr. is great and so likable in this role. He plays the role of Peter with so much ease and is completely natural and believable. It is so easy to forget that he is acting and he keeps the film grounded. To Phillips' credit, he did definately pick the two perfect people for the lead roles for this film.

"Due Date" is predictable and not the funniest film you will see this year, but it does it's job. It gives the audience a few laughs and keeps them entertained. Perhaps next time Todd Phillips will step outside his comfort zone and bring something different to the table. With "The Hangover Part II" in production as we speak, we can't expect anything different from him for awhile. Can he make any films other than those male bonding road trip films which he is so good at at this point in his career? We are yet to see.
6/10