Movie Review: 'Birdman'

If you hear of any Hollywood movie with a title ending with Man you know that the superhero is blessed and designed by the Almighty in his happiest hour. He possesses super powers that can woo women and patronize villains first by his trademark costume and then by his stunts. Birdman does neither of them or rather, can't to any of them. He is no way close to the charisma of even the antagonists of the usual super hero flicks. In here, the protagonist aka Birdman (Michael Keaton) is a sloppy, wretched, flabby middle-aged theatre actor who in the nineties became famous as Birdman before fading away under the glitz of technology-borne omnipotent charmers. He is in search of his lost identity especially when he is still a passionate actor and simply cannot bear the prevailing stain-on-acting, formula stars bask in the fame that is meant for pure acting. He decides to pull off a play in Broadway and in the process he battles with his ego, love, producer friend, newly found actor and his idiosyncrasies, his daughter’s rehab, stalking social media, and above all, his career.

It’s a raw satirical tale that stands tall on the back of its fine performances from all the actors without any glamour peppered over. The movie offers more laughs than scowls and silences. Keaton's dialogues with his ego, shown as the nagging character in the Birdman suit (with the voice like that of Batman, somehow!), his frequent scuffles with the actor he hires for the play, his arguments with the biased critic - all bundle up a package of desperation stuffed with fun. Also, the amazing thing is, it looks to have been shot in a single take. The camera is in awe of Birdman and never gives him a break. It is like almost chasing him throughout the movie! You must watch it if you have patience and sense of admiration for the heavy art. Else, stay away from this if you want everything to be logically connected without loose ends. You know which side you stand.