Birdman - Calvin and Riggan

"Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" has been talked about a lot ever since it first premiered. People have been praising it up and down, raving about every little detail of it. Saying it's a masterpiece. Because of this I've been rather skeptical, rarely can I go into a film that is so hyped up without being at least a little bit disappointed. Today was not like that.

"Birdman" follows Riggan Thomson, a former big-shot actor who is credited by bringing life to the superhero as a film genre. He is setting up a play on Broadway which he is both writing, directing, and starring it. He's putting everything on the line to be viewed as something more than just a filmstar, more than just Birdman.

The entirety of this film is a perfect balancing act of crazy indie-picture, and mainstream Oscar-bait. It's about a filmstar and his view of the film business, which is something the Academy just loves. Time and time again we see these "meta" films about the business itself being nominated, not necessarily because they're the best, but because the voters identify with them more. At the same time we have an artsy and barrier-breaking film which manages to fool the audience into thinking that this is an extremely small film, almost student level. It all takes place at the theatre, never leaving unless they absolutely have to, and even then they go to limited sets. It's almost as if the film itself is a play.

The cinematography in this film is some of the best I've seen in years, and if it doesn't win that award at the Oscars something is wrong. It is clearly better than the rest of the nominees, and in a way that is easily accessible for everyone. Often cinematography can be hard to judge for the average filmgoer, it's just a frame you see things through. But the way the camera is used in this film can clearly be noticed. Almost the entire film is one "continuous" shot, all the cuts are hidden with either clever transitioning shots or VFX shots. This has limited the use of the camera, as you can't just cut to a closeup, then cut to a wideshot, then see something that happens on the other side of the world. You move with the camera throughout the film, it's almost like you are a character in it. Again, it's like a play.

The acting is also some of the best, and everyone in it who is nominated for Oscars have deserved it. They are all in on the game that this is a pseudo indie picture, they manage to act in a way that resembles amateurish that is in actuality great. It's like Calvin's drawings in "Calvin and Hobbes". Bill Watterson draws them in such a way that they look exactly like a child's drawings, but they are in fact amazing drawings that perfectly represents what they are supposed to. You can't simplify something to such a degree unless you really understand it to begin with, and it looks like everyone in this film understood what they were doing.

As a closing remark, this film is amazing. If it is still in theatres where ever you are right now, go watch it. Even if you already have. This won't be as magical and as special experienced through the glow of a laptop screen, or on your Nokia in your hand. Treat yourself to the real experience this time. It's worth it.