Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu composes a masterpiece in his innovative satire on show business. The most impressive aspect of Birdman is the illusion of one smooth, massive continuous take. This is a combination of excellent cinematography by Oscar-winner Emmanuel Lubezki and some visual effects tricks. It emulates a stage play, much like the one being staged in the movie. The way scenes change in the movie very much resemble a play as do the monologues. The setting inside one of Broadway's great theaters is a labyrinth that the crew must have navigated expertly to get its shots. I always pay special attention to lighting in "plays", which is done in the movie such that the light from one set doesn't pollute the others nearby despite the continuous take.
I love the life-imitates-art-imitates-life concept of the film, casting former Batman, Michael Keaton to play a version of himself, not an easy thing to do. Keaton leads a superb cast. They all deliver their quirky jokes in this dry, fast-paced way that keeps the movie flowing with the camera. It is also moved along by the innovative score, made up solely of drum solos and classical interludes. My favorite is the always good Edward Norton, who, in one scene, gives a masterclass in acting to Keaton. Emma Stone also deserves to be singled out, playing a recovering drug addict. All 3 actors are serious Oscar contenders.
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