Two great performances are opening here this weekend!
The first is Jake Gyllenhaal as NIGHTCRAWLER.
The other—and this one a sure bet in the upcoming Oscar nominations for Best Actor – is Michael Keaton as BIRDMAN.
In this dark comedy, satire-fantasy, Keaton stars as a washed-up movie star who once led a major Hollywood super hero franchise. But those days are long gone.
Has he given up? Not yet—not quite. Instead Keaton sets out to make a comeback on Broadway where he now desperately tries to be taken seriously—all while undergoing a major midlife meltdown.
So far, so good.
The play is in final rehearsals for its preview engagements when Keaton’s co-star is suddenly knocked out by a falling object from the rafters.
Now what?
With everything on the line Keaton stands to lose it all as he not only stars in the play but produces and directs it. Making matters worse, the New York Times‘ main Broadway critic hates him and a bad review from her will wipe him out.
Enter last minute replacement actor Edward Norton—quite a handful in his own right. And things seem to start to come together. But not before a boatload of dark backstage maneuvers, emergencies and seemingly never ending tension.
All that plus Zach Galifianakis as Keaton’s attorney, Emma Stone as his headstrong daughter and Naomi Watts as his co-star.
“This is Broadway. Don’t f*** it up!”
Make no mistake, BIRDMAN is not for everyone and could easily be classified as an art film.
Earlier I referred to it as a dark comedy, satire-fantasy. With emphasis on fantasy as the movie heads in some pretty bizarre directions at times, which will have many unsuspecting moviegoers thinking, “What the f***?”
However it’s Michael Keaton’s mesmerizing and riveting performance that’ll have the Academy taking notice come nominations time.
BIRDMAN opens as a limited three theater engagement this weekend in Kansas City and is expected to add additional screens in coming weeks.
My grade: B+.
(Reviewed at Glenwood Arts Theatre)
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings at 6:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. on 98.1 KMBZ and anytime on Facebook.
Too bad this movie isn’t playing closer to my home. It’s nowhere up north.