On this day, 12 years ago, a comedy-drama starring Michael Keaton was released, and it would become one of his greatest movies of all time.
Keaton has become one of the top Hollywood actors during the course of his career, starring as characters such as Bruce Wayne/Batman in 1989’s Batman and its 1992 sequel, Batman Returns. Not to forget his portrayal of Beetlejuice in the 1988 comedy horror of the same name.
And Keaton starred as the lead, Riggan Thomson, in the comedy-drama Birdman, which had a limited U.S. release on this day 12 years ago (October 17), only to have a wide release one month later.
“Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career,” the movie synopsis reads.
“It’s risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he’s a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a castmate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor (Edward Norton) who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife.”
Birdman became a massive financial success during its theatrical run, earning $42.3 million at the domestic box office and $103.2 million worldwide on a budget of $18 million. And the film went on to win four Oscars at the 87th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (Alejandro G. Iñárritu).
Birdman Named Michael Keaton’s Greatest Movie of All Time
While Keaton has starred in many classic movies, Gold Derby believes one stands above the rest, naming Birdman as Keaton’s “greatest film” of all time, noting the film’s inspiration from Keaton’s own career playing Batman.
Keaton was nominated for his one and only Oscar for this moving tragi-comedy tour de force, made to look as if it were shot in one movie-length take, as an actor forever burdened by the superhero he played in a movie trilogy,” it wrote.
Birdman has a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
