Change of plan
Had the morning free for a trip to the cinema today. Have been waiting to see The Theory of Everything since first hearing about the film. I mean what's not to love? The well known story of the famous death-defying theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawking, based on the book by his wife that I read some years ago, with Golden Globe winning and now Oscar nominated performance by Eddie Redmayne in the leading role, and David Thewlis also in the cast. Plus the chance to compare with the 2004 tv film Hawking, in which Benedict Cumberbatch played the title role. And yet, when I arrived at the ticket desk at little earlier than expected (light traffic on the road into the city, no queue) I bought a ticket to see Birdman instead. Boy was I not disappointed with my choice.
Birdman is a unique piece of theatrical film making, and utterly compelling to watch. Seemlessly filmed in long, winding takes mostly in the very unglamourous dressing rooms and corridors 'backstage' in an old Broadway theatre, we follow the progress of a play being prepared through previews to press night. The play has been adapted, financed and directed by Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), once famous for playing the epnoymous superhero, now desperate to reinvent himself as a serious actor, although it would seem that he is suffering from some sort of real or imaginary possession by the comicbook character. He, and we, find it hard to distinguish between fantasy and reality at times.
The company suffers its first disaster when one of the actors is seriously wounded during a rehearsal. A replacement has to be found at short notice and Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) arrives, immediately shaking things up even more through his bizarre and provocative behaviour. Relationships in the small company, already complicated, become even more so. Each preview brings a new surprise until the shocking climax to the press night performance... results in the most feared critic writing an fantastic review, and with this acclaim Riggan, along with his alter ego, is mysteriously set free.
One of the things I loved about the film was the soundtrack. There is a great deal of fast solo drumming, use of a soundscape (or maybe it is Mahler, my ignorance is enormous) like the swelling sound of an orchestra warming up before performance, and soaring use of classical music that makes some dramatic moments seem like high opera.
A lot of the film is funny. Laugh out loud funny. But the themes are dark and very real. For Keaton, himself was once defined by his role as Tim Burton's Batman, it is a perfect fit. Fabulous cast, fabulous film making. Highly recommended! And maybe I'll go see Eddie next week... :-)
Birdman is a unique piece of theatrical film making, and utterly compelling to watch. Seemlessly filmed in long, winding takes mostly in the very unglamourous dressing rooms and corridors 'backstage' in an old Broadway theatre, we follow the progress of a play being prepared through previews to press night. The play has been adapted, financed and directed by Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), once famous for playing the epnoymous superhero, now desperate to reinvent himself as a serious actor, although it would seem that he is suffering from some sort of real or imaginary possession by the comicbook character. He, and we, find it hard to distinguish between fantasy and reality at times.
The company suffers its first disaster when one of the actors is seriously wounded during a rehearsal. A replacement has to be found at short notice and Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) arrives, immediately shaking things up even more through his bizarre and provocative behaviour. Relationships in the small company, already complicated, become even more so. Each preview brings a new surprise until the shocking climax to the press night performance... results in the most feared critic writing an fantastic review, and with this acclaim Riggan, along with his alter ego, is mysteriously set free.
One of the things I loved about the film was the soundtrack. There is a great deal of fast solo drumming, use of a soundscape (or maybe it is Mahler, my ignorance is enormous) like the swelling sound of an orchestra warming up before performance, and soaring use of classical music that makes some dramatic moments seem like high opera.
A lot of the film is funny. Laugh out loud funny. But the themes are dark and very real. For Keaton, himself was once defined by his role as Tim Burton's Batman, it is a perfect fit. Fabulous cast, fabulous film making. Highly recommended! And maybe I'll go see Eddie next week... :-)