Birdman (2014)
This is regarded as one of the best films of 2014. It is also celebrated as Michael Keaton's comeback film after Batman and his series of disappointments that followed.Here, he takes on the role of a down-and-out stage actor who has seen better days when he was famous for playing 'Birman' in a television series.
Now he must confront his inner demons, including auditory hallucinations and his alter ego, represented by his fictitious Birdman character that brought him fame. He continues to search for that one theatrical production that could catapult him back to the dizzying heights of stardom. At the same workplace, his daughter, a reformed junkie, works alongside him. They grapple with issues, as Keaton did not spend enough time with her during her childhood. Meanwhile, his ex-wife is moving forward in life with a role on Broadway.
He has a girlfriend who claims she is pregnant, and a casual actor brought in to fill a role tries to steal the limelight from him. From a theatrical viewpoint, the story and characters are layered, providing richness and depth to the film. The slightly different cinematography creates the illusion of long takes and penning, making the viewing experience interesting, as if one is observing the entire theatre from the actors' perspective rather than that of the audience.
