Alejandro Inarritu is known as one of Hollywood’s most unique directors; therefore, his films will easily meet the criteria for the voters. His extreme long takes, sluggish camera movements, and use of the magical all contribute to his style, as it varies from the typical Classic Hollywood cinema. The use of the nonreal, or magical elements, played a significant role in separating Birdman’s style apart from its competitors for the Best Picture award. Critical scenes in the film revolve around Thompson flying around as “The Birdman,” as a means to symbolize the freedom and potential he could find away from his current lifestyle. The opening shot of the film shows the Birdman “sitting in the lotus position in the dressing room of a historic Broadway theater, only he’s levitating above the ground” (Lamire). Scenes that separate reality from a fantasy typically accompany movies that are not serious and reflective, however, Inarritu’s use of fantasy throughout Birdman furthers the plotline, and it forces me to challenge my perception of the seemingly miniscule aspects of …show more content…
Tensions between Professor Fletcher and his students, specifically Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), reach astounding heights through the use of yelling, throwing objects, and negativity. Tallerico describes director Damien Chazelle’s ability to use a “relatively staid subject and turn it into a thriller built on a brilliant undercurrent of social commentary about what it takes to make it in an increasingly competitive and cutthroat world” (Tallerico). Moments throughout the film seem dismal and despondent, but these are the moments that allow the film to provide a lasting impact. Although Neiman has endured mental abuse from his professor, the finale allows an opportunity to show off his skills and upstage Professor Fletcher. This genre provided the foreground to tell a dark story, but it also provided the versatility to create a learning experience. After viewing several films throughout 2014, I believe the storyline is one of the best of the year, and as the genre is an important factor in Academy voting, Whiplash offers a strong