I loved this film when it came out, which makes it admittedly kinda weird that I've waited 9 years to re-watch it. It's not that I haven't thought about it in all that time, to the contrary, I think about watching it every handful of months. Laila likes it but doesn't want to watch it again because she said it gives her anxiety (I've learned over the years that just because I don't get the why, or how, of anxiety inducing things doesn't mean it's a bridge worth crossing), and that's a kind of partial excuse on why I've left it unviewed. Streaming access is another reason, although it comes and goes, and when it comes, I always save it. And really it's not like I couldn't just buy it, I've bought much shittier movies, sight unseen. What it is, is fear. I think I was just afraid it wouldn't be as good as what I think it is. Or thought it was. Or want it to be.

So tonight I had choices. The wife's out of town and I have three days to get through a plethora of non Laila films at my leisure, but of course analysis paralysis sets in. Knock out one of five poliziottesci staring me in the face but I'm not really in the mood for? Nah, not tonight. Re-watch one of many gialli I have because I've exhausted what unseen ones are available? I mean, I should watch something new... How 'bout that Bogey box set, really any of them will do? ......eh, maybe after the spooky season. A Vincent Price jam? Too early in the night. Something Spielberg-y? Eh, too easy. Give up and half ass watch YouTube while vacantly doing shit on my phone?? No Ian! Don't give up so easily!! Mona Lisa Smile?? ....what is this and why is that on my shelf?? Have I ever seen this? Must be a Laila movie... "..an art history professor with a lot to teach about life and much to learn about romance." Seems like she has more to teach about history than life, am I right?? I wonder..

But right then, before Julia Roberts and Julia Styles could suck me in to what I'm sure is a simply splendid and intensely quaint film about Etruscan history or some such, I remembered ....... Birdman.... Yes!! No more excuses! No more hiding!! No more YouTube!!! (at least for tonight) And so, now having faced my quite modest fears, and defeated my 15 minutes of slightly frustrating indecision, I did, and have now, watched Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).....

And what did I think? Did it hold up?? Was it worth all the slight mental torment and pseudo cinephile angst???

At long last dear reader, here is my review:

Yeah, it's still really fucking good.