Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

A backstage dramedy with a ferocious central performance by Michael Keaton, "Birdman" (full title: "Birdman, or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance") provides entertainment on an intellectual level, allowing us to peek into the mind of a once-indestructible movie star as he confronts his own personal and professional mortality.

Once the star of a major comic book franchise (noticing the parallels between star and character?), Riggan Thomson now finds himself in a strange land: Writing, directing and starring in a Broadway play that he hopes will return to him some amount of career respectability. He has a lot riding on this show, and he might just make it through if the voices in his head don't overcome his momentum.

As much as this is a showcase for Keaton (who easily gives the best performance of his career), the film has its roots set firmly in the time-honored environs of the backstage drama. The usual cast of characters consists of: Jake (Zach Galifianakis), Riggan's best friend and harried producer of the show; Lesley (Naomi Watts), the pretty ing�nue who is getting her big break on Broadway; Laura (Andrea Riseborough), another actor, but more importantly, Riggan's mistress; Sam (Emma Stone), Riggan's daughter, fresh from rehab and helping out with her Dad's show; Sylvia (Amy Ryan), Riggan's kind-hearted ex-wife; and Mike (Edward Norton), the reckless diva star who is so Method that he drinks gin on stage. Each actor is given particular moments to shine, but Galifianakis and Stone must be singled out for so totally stretching their acting muscles and giving standout performances. Galifianakis completely sheds the "Hangover" schlub-type character he's become known for in recent films, and finds the truth and sincerity in Jake. Stone's scene where she loses it with her father after he finds a joint she has hidden is superb; she is truly impressive.

The film will be of particular interest to theater aficionados for its spectacular recreation of backstage at the St. James Theater on Broadway. Watching the film, with I��rritu's gorgeous long takes and tracking shots that would make Brian De Palma salivate, one sort of has the feeling that he or she is in rehearsal with these folks and anticipating the curtain rising on opening night as much as they are. The milieu of Times Square and the Broadway theaters is essential in bringing this story its authenticity and in capturing the feel of a play in production.

"Birdman" is not the type of movie that will typically play well outside of urban markets, due chiefly to its lack of shoot-em-up action set pieces that seem to appeal to the attention-starved masses (though there is a bit). The film owes more to the wonderful dialogue (courtesy of four writers) and exacting direction of I��rritu. He, Keaton, and the rest of the sublime ensemble have made an intelligent, thoughtful and provocative piece of literary cinema that will, without a doubt, be justly recognized come awards season.