Michael Keaton showcases his wide-ranging talent as Riggan.
The role of Riggan Thomas must have been a dream come true for Michael Keaton.
Complex to say the least, Riggan provides an incredible vehicle for Keaton to showcase his wide-ranging talent.
With a Golden Globe already on his mantelpiece and a place reserved for an Oscar, Keaton must be a happy man.
Riggan is an intensely complicated character.
Having once been the iconic superhero "The Birdman", Riggan has failed to hit the heights since leaving the character behind.
He has one more chance to redeem himself.
On Broadway, he is going to act and direct in a new adaptation of a Raymond Carver short story called What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.
While dealing with plenty of his own demons, Riggan must also tackle the problems and needs of replacement actor Mike (Edward Norton), who is very good but also very needy.
And there is his personal assistant daughter Sam (Emma Stone), who has plenty of her own issues and Riggan's lawyer and best friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis), who is tasked with keeping the whole production together as everything melts down around him.
Waiting in the wings for Riggan's play to open is a New York Times critic who vows to shut down production of the play before it even starts with a scathing review of the opening night performance.
Riggan's mental state (and the voice in his head) is barely able to cope with his own challenges in this black comedy, let alone the many and varied problems around him.
Director Alejandro G Inarritu has constructed a very usual cinematic offering. At times confusing, the story is told as if we were flies on the wall looking in.
If nothing else, watch Birdman to see Michael Keaton at his best.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
(R16), 130 minutes
Rating: 3/5 Stars
It's ingenious directing, outstanding acting - filmmaking at its best, Jen Shieff says.