Review of Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) by Dana F — 24 Oct 2015

I gotta give this film all the credit in the world for pure innovation and technical brilliance.  I'm actually surprised that a movie this experimental even got nominated, much less stake out a position as a frontrunner.

  The entire movie is one unbroken take, I cannot imagine the level of difficulty in making this film.  Added to that are the brilliant performances all round, and though Michael Keaton shines as the lead, I was probably most impressed with Edward Norton in his supporting role.

  This movie is definitely weird and open to interpretation (it has metaphysical elements, without which I think the story would have been better served) and it's beyond meta.  Keaton's character has both massive insecurities and delusions of grandeur, and the film doesn't shy away from pointing out the vapidity of Hollywood and the meaningless of the awards given to its members.

   Ironic that a film about a man struggling with the realization that he is unimportant and seeking validation would be showered with so many of the same accolades the character so desperately seeks.

  This movie is impeccably made (deserving of a Best Director award) and is unquestionably the most inventive of the nominees, but it's a little too bizarre for its own good.