As far as post-modern films go, ‘Birdman’ is right up there with ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’. It’s a comedy so you’ll get a lot of laughs but also get ready for some hard truths. Michael Keaton will always be the greatest ‘Batman’ to have ever donned the cape and cowl. To fans of the Dark Knight, Val Kilmer gave it a good shot, George Clooney wishes he had never donned the mask, and Christian Bale, although the most serious and realistic Batman, lacked a sense of humour. Is ‘Birdman’ a story of a Hollywood A-Lister who seemed unstoppable during the eighties and nineties but lost it all and made some bad career decisions? Yes it is. However, is this also the real life tale of Michael Keaton’s own astronomical rise to fame as Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ and his subsequent demise? If you ask Keaton, the answer will most likely be a resounding ‘no!’ Yet it’s hard to not notice the similarities…

Keaton plays Riggan Thomas, a washed up ageing actor, who once played an iconic superhero called Birdman (hard to not draw comparisons here). Throughout the film he battles his inner demons whilst he tries to save his family, his career and even himself in the days leading up to the opening of his Broadway play. Superstar director Alejandro González Iñárritu directs the project by creating one very long magnificent take. The camera is often free and wanders the halls of the theatre, chasing our protagonist and his supporting cast, adding to the already frantic nature of the film. There are cuts and edits but they are done masterfully and give the audience enough time to breathe and absorb what is happening, before throwing them back into the lion’s den. If you are wondering who Mr. Iñárritu is, he is the same man that directed the visually striking and multi-arcing ‘Babel’, as well as ‘Biutiful’ starring Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem.

The film deals with many themes including but not limited to: Celebrity culture in the 21st century, fatherhood, dementia, family and Hollywood versus the theatre. The supporting cast is outstanding. Edward Norton plays the talented Mike Shinner, a Broadway veteran who loathes Riggan for being a commercial Hollywood success. Naomi Watts plays a Broadway first timer, Zach Galifianakis is the concerned best friend and lawyer trying to keep the play from tanking, and Emma Stone plays the neglected, yet incredibly witty and truthful daughter. For anyone interested in the world of acting, movies and theatre, ‘Birdman’ is a Must-Watch. A rock solid performance from Keaton, amazing direction from Iñárritu and themes almost everybody can relate to will ensure your attention is always on the screen.