‘Tis the Oscar season, and around this time of the cinema calendar, the movie-goer is treated to a different style of film. Gone are all the sequels and special effects , and in enters the more stripped-back and thought provoking stories.
So while most people wait for the middle of the year blockbusters (like Avengers 2), true cinephiles who want to see what baits the Academy into a golden statue have a slew of options to see
Chief amongst these is Birdman.This movie has been hyped for months, praised for its style, the casting and visual presence. Finally, after all this time, we have the chance to suss it out for ourselves.
Birdman is the story of Riggan Thompson, played masterfully by Michael Keaton (who won a Golden Globe for his efforts) as a washed up 1980s actor who risks everything trying to make it on Broadway – his family, finances and even sanity are on the line trying to make opening night for his play.
The reason Birdman is still on my radar, and perhaps also the radars of Hollywood’s upper-echelon, is down to the production of this film. It is made to look entirely like one shot; my guess is to reflect the theatrical aesthetic of what is, essentially, a one-location movie. This is a lot harder than they make it look. The cuts (which there obviously are) are seamless and left me (as a filmmaker myself) dumbfounded as to how they did it.
The soundtrack is simplistic and catchy, a jazz drum rift coasting us through the transitions, and the sound design overall is minimalistic and punchy. What catches your attention most is the performances of the cast, particularly Naomi Watts and the scene-stealing Edward Norton. I have no doubt this movie wouldn’t have worked without the stellar cast leading the way.
Often, critics are finicky and daresay ‘wanky’ – an aspect directly raised within the often ‘meta’ Birdman. The average moviegoer might be intimidated with the ‘artistic merits’ of this film over a straight narrative.
But honestly, this film was impressive, interesting and intelligent. The critics have got it right on this one. The hotly contested Best Picture Oscar will be a tightly fought battle between Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Both are deserving of the top gong.
