By now I’m sure you’ve seen some press for 20th Century FOX’s Birdman but I assure you, the less you know the better. I was on-hand at NYCC to catch the first ten minutes of the film, along with an assortment of scenes, and the panel with Edward Norton and Michael Keaton. This is is seriously, going to be the best, and trippiest movie of the year. It’s a personal descent into madness or enlightenment, depending on how you look at it, but it’s going to one hell of a horrific ride. This is Keaton going full Beetleguese, and perhaps the performance of his career.
Chris Hardwick started off the panel by talking about how amazing the movie is. He showed us the first ten minutes of the film. It’s an incredibly surreal ten minute shot that showcases Michael Keaton’s character and his disillusionment. It’s a powerful visual feast.
Keaton read the script and discovered really quickly that he wanted to be in the film. Norton was determined to get into the film at any cost.
Hardwick revealed that the entire movie looks like one continuous shot. It’s something they want to keep a little close to their chests, but Norton said they had unbelievable determination to create a visual masterpiece. He says film schools will deconstruct it for a long time to come. We shouldn’t be too quick to unpack it, but the entire crew was heavily involved in every moment of the filming process.
Keaton pitched the film as unlike anything you’ve seen before, literally. That’s no glib expression. He doesn’t often watch his films anymore, but he’s seen this film 2 and a half times, he’s blown away by the intricacies of the film. It’s about an actor who goes to New York and has a breakdown about the play being made from a short story. That’s all they’d say, they want to stay secretive on the film.
Norton says you have to see it to believe it. He hadn’t done a movie with FOX since Fight Club. And it was the second time in his career that he left the first screening not even knowing what he watched. It bends your mind with the technical quality and meta humor. Just go experience it.
Keaton has never backed off his love for Batman. Birdman is a different type of movie, it’s not a superhero movie. But, he approached it like any other role. They left the superhero baggage at the door. He called the film “uncompromisingly bold” and you can smell it in the trailer.
Norton said everyone in the film is the director Alejandro González Iñárritu. It’s a twisted reflection of himself. It has a lot of fun sending up everyone. Norton and Keaton need each other in the film, a hate/love/hate relationship.
Hardwick and the guys talked about the cinematography at length, and they described the entire movie as that shot from Goodfellas but for the entire thing. It’s not a superhero film, but its about the superhero genre, and Birdman takes the hero’s journey. The film hits October 17th, and while it may not be traditional horror, I sincerely recommend you go see it.
Birdman is Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Written by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr and Armando Bo. It stars Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts. With
music by Antonio Sanchez and cinematography Emmanuel Lubezki.
Released on October 17, 2014