Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Director and co-screenplay author Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (21 Grams and Babel) has created a fascinating, unique, and brilliant film.  This is a MUST SEE! Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) was a famous movie star 20 years ago playing the super-hero Birdman in 3 hit movies.  Unfortunately, he hasn't done anything noteworthy since. Riggan thinks he is a good actor and wants to prove it, so he bets the ranch on producing, directing, and staring in a Broadway play. However, he has his doubts and is in conflict with his Birdman alter-ego, which is a source of both his self-esteem and self-loathing. The film involves Riggan's personal life with his daughter (Emma Stone) and his ex-wife (Amy Ryan) as well as his interactions with the characters from the play (Ed Norton and Naomi Watts) which is just about to open. Riggan is also struggling with his identity, which is still significantly identified with Birdman. The acting from the ensemble cast is excellent, especially Keaton, who deserves the AW. (Of note, Keaton played Batman in the 3 Batman films in the late 80's and early 90's and was rarely heard from again.) The film is metaphorical and can't be taken too literally.  It is outrageously funny at times, although basically a drama. The cinematographer (Emmanuel Lubezki) has amazingly made it seem like the movie was filmed in one take! The sound track is primarily a jazz drum solo, but it really fits the film. In a nut-shell, Birdman is a "beak" experience! Rating 8.75-AW caliber film Dave