NYFF 52 REVIEW: BIRDMAN

REVIEWED BY MATEO MORENO

When you see the word, “A film by Alejandro González Iñárritu,” you know you’re always in for a unique experience. Through films like Amores Perros, Babel, 21 Grams, & Biutiful, Alejandro has taken us on incredible journeys each in their own unique and powerful ways. Apologies to fans of Amores Perros (which includes myself) but I believe his masterpiece has now come. Exhilarating, pulse pounding, hilarious, and uniquely original, BIRDMAN OR THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE is most likely going to top my list of best films of the year. I highly doubt I’ll be the only one.

Michael Keaton stars as Riggan Thompson, a somewhat has been actor who walked away from an incredibly lucrative superhero franchise called “Birdman.” He now wants to be taken as a series actor and has written a theatrical adaptation of Raymond Carver’s short story What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, casting himself in it and directing it as well. He has a Broadway stage to do it in. He has his good friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis), producing it with him and his girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) is starring in it alongside him. Almost immediately, things start going from bad to worse. His costar is immediately hit by a falling light and has to be replaced immediately. His other costar Lesley (Naomi Watts) suggests her boyfriend Mike Shiner (Edward Norton), a famous Method Actor. He comes aboard and to say he immediately rocks it might be an understatement. To make matters even more stressful, his daughter, an recovering drug addict (Emma Stone) is a production assistant and isn’t too keen on making great father/daughter time. Now this may seem like a lot, but he’s also haunted with the voice of “Birdman” and seems to be able to move things with his mind. Is it all in his mind? Is it real? What is real exactly in this highly meta, breaking the fourth wall film? That’s one of many questions (some answered, some not) that Birdman brings to this beautifully creative table.

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu and Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki have crafted a genuine unique, wholly original film that is set up to seem like the film is all one long 2 hour shot. As the camera follows Riggan and his crew of misfits, we pan through the St. James Theatre, below the theatre, to the rooftop, the street outside, all in one long continuous take. Of course there are cuts, but not many of them, and often takes are 10 minutes long as the camera swirls around them. The direction is crisp and precise, and the camera work is pure genius. Bring the man who left behind a superhero to stretch is acting muscles is a man who…well, left behind a superhero to stretch his acting muscles (in his case, Tim Burton’s Batman). Michael Keaton mesmerizes through the film, transfixing you through each take. He’s wounded and battered, pathetic and driven, lost but searching. It’s a glorious performance that is certainly putting him back on the map. Spewing with real human emotion, Keaton is a revelation. Edward Norton also goes meta playing a brilliant method actor when he himself has been called a brilliant sometimes method actor. He’s charming and conniving, all within the same breath. It’s like being shot with adrenaline each time he enters the screen. Emma Stone also impresses with her wounded and guarded turn as Riggan’s daughter. Also showcasing amazing moments is Andrew Risenborough, who shows the cracks in her armor each time Riggan hurts her slowly but powerfully. Naomi Watts and Zach Galifianakis’s performances soar as well. And the nontraditional soundtrack of drumming by Antonio Sanchez is a welcome weave of originality.

You don’t need to be an actor or an “insider” to appreciate everything that Birdman has to offer. It is truly a remarkable film, unlike anything you’ll experience this year and probably next. A mark of men at the top of their game, it is Alejandro González Iñárritu and Emmanuel Lubezki golden goose. It is Keaton’s ticket back in. It’s the love letter from everyone involved screaming and reaching for originality and giving it to us. Close your eyes, sit back, and let Birdman soar over you.

VERDICT: A MUST SEE

Written by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinerlaris, Armando Bo.

 Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki Starring Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis. CONTENT ADVISORY: Adult Language, Adult Situations

FINAL THOUGHTS: A breathtaking original film that succeeds on each and every level. Hallelujah, here Birdman comes.

MATEO MORENO is an actor, playwright, and director in New York City. He owns and runs TheArtsWireWeekly.com and has had four of his plays produced, including BOHEMIAN VALENTINE, HAPPILY AFTER TONIGHT, WITHIN OUR WALLS, & LOVES ME LIKE A ROCK.

BOY MEETS GIRL // A FILM REVIEW OF "GONE GIRL"

BY CHRISENA RICCI

About a week ago I shuffled into the nearest theatre to seek refuge from the depressing drizzle that is truly unique to New York City post- holiday season.  I was looking forward to spending a couple of hours gazing into that silver screen and I was specifically excited to see my chosen flick, GONE GIRL.

I was hooked from the opening scene. At first, the plot seems simple. Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy loses girl. Sort of.

We meet Nick Dunne (Ben Afleck) who seems to be a simple Midwestern man consumed in a failing marriage with his picture perfect wife Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike). When Amy goes missing under suspicious circumstances, Nick finds himself in the center of a tangled web of half-truths with every finger pointing in his direction. He must then embark on a complicated hunt for a chance at redemption by following the mysterious clues left by his missing wife.

The all-star cast, that includes Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, does not disappoint. The subject matter is tricky, intriguing and entertaining, albeit a bit twisted. It reaches down in the depths of a twisted marriage and holds no punches. The direction by David Fincher (The girl with the dragon tattoo, Fight Club and Seven), was well crafted and highly relatable. Which is truly a feat with these specific characters, all of whom I hope to never meet in real life. I find this one of Fincher’s directorial strong suits. He can take any person that society would condemn as psycho and present the audience with an unbiased look at a character who, in another director’s hands, would be archetypal and stereotypical.

If you are a book junkie, there are a few changes made from the original storyline, written by Gillian Flynn, but none detrimental or even bothersome.  I read the book first, and definitely longed for some of the plot that was left on the cutting room floor, but I really feel as though the edits helped further the story. And if there is one thing this film does well, other than the acting and directing, it’s the storytelling.

CHRISENA'S GRADE: B-

Directed by: David Fincher Screenplay by: Gillian Flynn Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, and Carrie Coon

FINAL THOUGHTS: I would highly recommend this film to anyone interested in a mystery-thriller full of complex characters with intricate relationships. Or to anyone who might just enjoy good movies.

CHRISENA RICCI once went to a costume party dressed in an all black dress and black wig. No one there could guess who she was. So she shouted out, "I'm Christina Ricci, without the T or I and add an E!" Everyone stood there confused, she was annoyed, so she stormed off. She never returned to that apartment ever again. Which is fine, because she later realized she was at the wrong party. She now lives in New York City.

NYFF52 REVIEW: GONE GIRL

BY MATEO MORENO

For anyone and everyone who is worried that the new film adaptation of GONE GIRL won't live up to your memories of the novel let me reassure you: Director David Fincher has crafted one hell of a film here. Sleek and mysterious, pulsating and riveting, it's truly a mark of filmmaking wonder. Luck for us, the film adaptation is done by the novel's writer herself, Gillian Flynn, and she captures the wonder that sat on those pages with sharp and clear strokes. To those who haven't yet read the thrilling page turner, the story follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) as they move from Manhattan to Nick's childhood home of Missouri. One evening, Nick returns home to an open door, shattered glass, and Amy is nowhere to be seen. Amy has suddenly disappeared. The police, led by Detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens) and Officer Jim Gilpin (Patrick Fugit), begin searching for answers and Nick turns to his sister Margo (Carrie Coon) for support. But what exactly, if anything, is Nick hiding? What will the police find? What did happen to Amy? Well if you've read the novel, you may think you know, but Flynn has shaken up the third act here, so even you are in for a treat.

Fincher creates a world and atmosphere here that is intoxicating; thrilling, bleak, and simmering with mysteries at every turn, with a swelling media circus encompassing everyone. Switching between each day Amy is missing and pages of her diary recounting their life together, GONE GIRL captures you from minute one. Affleck is perfect; quiet and powerful here as a smug man who has trouble convincing the public of his compassion. Pike's performance brims with wonder as we piece together who Amy really was. Carrie Coon turns in fantastic work here as Nick's twin sister Margo. And the large supporting cast, from Kim Dickens to Patrick Fugit, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry (yes, THAT Tyler Perry) all shine from each moment to the next. Kudos as well to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for their haunting score. Even as you learn this town's dirty little secrets, Fincher and Lynne keep you guessing and keep their narrative hand gripping your throat. GONE GIRL does not disappoint, it transcends.

VERDICT: A MUST SEE

Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn Screenplay by Gillian Flynn Directed by David Fincher Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry. CONTENT ADVISORY: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Graphic Violence, Nudity

BOTTOM LINE: Fans of the novel will be pleased and those who haven't read it will go pick it up. Another excellent offering from the master that is David Fincher.