With its striking unconventional narrative and mesmerizing performances, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, is a profound exploration of artistic identity, personal redemption, and the pursuit of relevance. This 2014 sensational drama-comedy immerses its audience into the chaotic yet bewitching world of its washed-out protagonist, Riggan Thomson, brilliantly portrayed by Michael Keaton.
Literally and metaphorically emerging from the shadows of his iconic superhero role, Birdman, Riggan wrestles with his demons to resurrect his fading career and reputation. He reaches for relevance through his ambitious Broadway adaptation of a Raymond Carver short story “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”. Prompted by his alter ego, Riggan grapples with his personal and professional life while battling the condescension of an influential critic.
Iñárritu's vision is effectively presented through the cinematography of double Oscar-winner, Emmanuel Lubezki. Lubezki uses extensive continuous shots, giving the film the appearance of a single take—an aesthetic choice that brilliantly complements Riggan's spiraling consciousness. A continuous sequence of conversations, emotional confrontations, and rehearsals, the film carries its audience through the labyrinthine confusion of Riggan's mind and the claustrophobic theatre's backstage.
The film's tightrope act of artistic madness is most literally presented through the bravura performance of Michael Keaton. Keaton, who reached the pinnacle of his own career in Tim Burton's Batman franchise, brings an ironic realism and grounding to Riggan as he totters on the precipice of sanity, trying to balance his vanity and aspirations against the crass commercialism of the entertainment industry.
Birdman's supporting cast does not fall in the shadows of Keaton's potent performance but exudes a brilliant intensity of their own. Edward Norton stirs up the chaos pot as Mike Shiner, a critically acclaimed theatre actor with a personality as big as his talent. Naomi Watts, playing a fraught actress making her Broadway debut, showcases a stunning vulnerability, while Emma Stone as Riggan's recovering addict daughter, transforms her slender screen time into a captivating portrait of angst and disillusionment.
The screenplay, co-written by Iñárritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, and Armando Bo, fluidly incorporates reality and magical realism, making the film a surreal drama-comedy. The script's sharp wit and twisting narrative is engaging, thought-provoking and peppered with dark comedic intervals.
Crafting a soundtrack primarily from Antonio Sanchez's jazzy, frenetic drumming imbues the film's every scene with an undercurrent of frenzied tension. Keeping pace with Riggan's spiraling life, it adds a rhythmic discordance emphasizing the existential crisis driving the film's themes.
Perhaps what elevates Birdman is its daring to critique the industry in which it resides. From its incisive commentaries on celebrity culture and the fickle nature of fame to the artistic integrity versus commercial success debate, the film stares unflinchingly at the disturbing realities of the entertainment world. It explores the power critics wield, the fickleness of audiences, and the competitive culture that feeds the actors' egos.
However, at the heart of Birdman lies an intimate exploration of personal self-worth and identity. Riggan's desperate quest for relevance reflects the universal human desire for validation, love, and recognition. Stripped of all the glitz, glamour, and theatrics, Birdman is a heartfelt story of an individual grappling to understand his place in a world that swiftly moves on.
Birdman is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking journey into the complexities of artistic identity and personal redemption. With its spellbinding performances, especially by Keaton and Norton, alongside its innovate camerawork and narrative structure, it challenges the norms of storytelling and filmmaking, making it an avant-garde cinema experience. It is a film that will cause laughter and introspection in equal measure, compel the audience to debate its content and form, but most importantly, it is a film that will not be easily forgotten. Despite the eccentric and chaotic world of Birdman, the search for personal significance and artistic integrity in the heart of its story is a universally relatable narrative that resonates long after the curtains fall.
