Birdman - 1 smile

I know I’m supposed to like “Birdman,” starring Michael Keaton. All the critics liked it; it got a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. And most viewers gave it an 87%. However, I found the story pointless, the characters irritating and the constant pounding of the drum soundtrack grating. And director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu hits you over the head (several times) with his theme of theater is art vs. mainstream movies are dreck. Riggan (Keaton) has a conversation with his volatile co-lead, Mike (Edward Norton) about ‘popularity is the slutty cousin of prestige’ and has encounter with a critic (Lindsay Duncan) who loathes Riggan for daring to think he’s good enough for the live stage. Inarritu leaves no room for interpretation, putting repetitious ideas into the mouths of gifted actors and then drops them into a kooky story. And his idea of humor is curious. Mike, a self-professed cad, is impotent except he gets a visible hard-on on stage. Funny, huh? And Naomi Watts and Andrea Riseborough, who play actresses in Riggan’s play, share a lesbian kiss that comes from left field and then has no follow through. Giggles, anyone? These supposedly funny moments detract more than add any depth to the narrative. I really should see “Birdman” again, but I don’t think I can take a second viewing. 11/2014