Michaeal Keaton heads an all-star cast in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Birdman,” released on October 17, 2014. Keaton’s titular Birdman, washed-up movie star Riggan Thomson attempts to reinvigorate his career and ego by staging, writing, and starring in a serious play. An adaptation of Raymond Carver’s “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” the play mirrors Thomson’s own tempestuous life. His life is narrated by alter ego Birdman, a gruff-voiced comic book movie character (similar to Keaton’s Batman in the late 80s/90s films) for whom he gained fame portraying earlier in life.
The film begins with Thomson levitating in a praying lotus position. Interrupting Thomson’s meditation, lawyer and agent Jake (Zach Galiafinakis) checks up on his best friend and client and they discuss various aspects of the play. The play quickly closing in on full-production, Thomson conspires to replace unimpressive lead Ralph. Ralph is hurt by a falling stage light, forcing Ralph out of the play, forcing Jake to juggle talks with Ralph’s lawyer intermittently throughout the remainder of the film with finding Ralph’s replacement.
Replacement Mike is a troubled, if legendary Broadway method actor. His on-stage antics and on-again-off-again relations with fellow actor Leslie (Naomi Watts) and Thomson’s troubled, former-addict daughter and assistant Sam (Emma Stone) further threaten the success of the play. Sam, further, clashes with her father and his attempts to reunite and with her. Thomson struggles similarly with ex-wife Sylvia (Amy Ryan) and current girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough).
Juggling lovers, family, and ex-family with managing his play, Thomson becomes progressively more unhinged. Thomson provides surreal, inconsistent performances, even replacing a prop gun with a real one, shooting himself in the face at the final production of his successful play. Buy the score on itunes.
