Birdman - A-

Rated R, 119 minutes
Wes's Grade: A-

Inarritu's brilliantly dark comedy "Birdman" soars

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's richly satisfying, compelling new dark comedy "Birdman" is a superbly crafted technical and creative triumph, and one of the best films of the year. Expect to see plenty more of "Birdman" come awards season, including its leading and supporting cast. The movie tells the story of Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) an actor famous for portraying an iconic superhero - as he struggles to mount a Broadway play. In the days leading up to opening night, he battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career, and himself. "Birdman," written, directed and produced by Inarritu, is a masterful creation on several levels that's brilliantly acted and skillfully, thoughtfully put together. Everything you've heard about Keaton's performance is true - it's believable, affecting and multi-layered (including a memorable stroll through Times Square mid-film in his whitey tighties), and while he's sure to receive many accolades for a perfectly cast role that mirrors his own personal life and career, expect them for several members of the supporting cast too. Edward Norton, as the troubled, unlikable d-bag of an actor, is excellent, as is Emma Stone as his snarky daughter and Amy Ryan as his long-suffering, sympathetic wife, who has some of the film's most touching scenes with Keaton. Zach Galifianakis (in one of his best roles), Naomi Watts and Andrea Riseborough also contribute solid turns as members of Keaton's unpredictable inner circle. The film is also a stunning technical achievement: "Birdman" is told as one seemingly long extended take, showing that the director of such varied films as "21 Grams" and "Babel' isn't afraid to experiment, and here it really pays off. The realistic cinematography from Oscar-winner Emmanuel Lubezki ("Gravity"), the pulsating soundtrack and the seamless editing are all first-rate and help complete the rich, fluid texture of the film. Unconventional and provocative, "Birdman" is dark, somewhat detached and may not be for everyone; much like the main character itself it could often be misunderstood or misinterpreted. It's a poignant story about a man trying to rediscover himself through his past as he learns what works and what doesn't; part character study and part backstage drama, it all works brilliantly, and in the end, soars to new heights. One of the year's must-see films.