Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) opens with a rather baffling scene - a man levitating in a Buddha-esque position (in his tighty whities), while an apparently disembodied voice expresses disgust with the quality of life it's been subject to. As the camera zooms in, I only have one question – what is this leading to? I'm left pondering this as the camera shifts focus, giving me a view of the man's dismal dressing room before following him down a dimly lit, cramped corridor. Intrigued? I surely was. Birdman is an intense, fast paced dramedy of a washed up Hollywood actor trying to resurrect his glory days.

The story follows Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), a Hollywood has-been, famous for playing the character of a superhero, Birdman, two decades earlier. Since then, his career (and his personal life) has hit rock-bottom. In an attempt to regain his former status, he decides to write, direct and star in a Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love." Riggan occasionally exhibits powers of telekinesis and levitation, especially during moments of intense emotional turmoil. While Riggan struggles to revive his image, the voice of Birdman haunts him, scornful of his endeavours. The play is produced by his best friend/attorney, Jake (Zach Galifianakis). Riggan is assisted by his daughter, Samantha (Emma Stone), a recovering drug addict. The cast of the play itself includes Riggan's girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough), Broadway newcomer Lesley (Naomi Watts), and the sly, erratic method actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton). Essentially, this movie was director Alejandro González Iñárritu's attempt to tell the story of flawed individuals struggling to find their way. 

Although Birdman may not be one's stereotypical idea of an 'exciting' movie, Iñárritu's scintillating storytelling and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki's ingenious camerawork make for eccentric viewing. The entire movie gives the audience the impression that it was filmed in one continuous, smooth take. We can see other examples of Lubezki's sheer brilliance in movies such as Gravity and The Tree of Life. Michael Keaton was phenomenal but the real showstopper was Edward Norton, whose peculiar antics and hilarious dialogues sent me into fits of laughter every time. Certain female characters, such as Laura and Lesley, were slightly underdeveloped and didn't make an impact to the plot. However, there are instances of sudden, startling character developments – rare moments when certain characters demand our attention. The scene where Samantha tells Riggan that he is irrelevant and 'non-existent' gives us an insight into her inner struggles and neglected childhood. The subtle shade to these characters makes this movie both intellectually and emotionally stimulating. The background percussion score by drummer Antonio Sanchez adds to the movie's dramatic flair. 
Overall, Birdman isn't a movie that will appeal to an average audience. However, if you've got a taste for something bizarre and unorthodox, it's a must-see.