12 Movies That Aren't As Pretentious As You Think

4. Birdman

It is totally fair to say that Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Best Picture-winning surreal drama is "not for everyone", and that's no problem at all.

But it's possible to air your distaste for the film without suggesting that Iñárritu is trying to bestow a false, flashy sense of importance upon his tale.

Sure, Iñárritu could've made Birdman a more grounded character study of a washed-up actor (Michael Keaton) trying to get his groove back, but do we really want auteur filmmakers to limit their scope and not experiment in bold and envelope-pushing new ways?

More to the point, the director's gambles all pay off. The "single take" trick is not only visually stunning but heightens our immersion in the drama, the reality-breaking moments cement the mental collapse we're witnessing, and the ambiguous ending is perfectly placed to keep the film "alive" once the credits have rolled.

As a film focused on the pomp of the theatre business and the nature of fame, some may find its self-awareness offputting, but it also ensures a high degree of dramatic honesty (especially from Edward Norton, who wonderfully sends-up his own reputation for being "difficult.")

If you're not interested in how a performance is created and the process an actor goes through, then Birdman might do little for you, but its stunning style is entirely backed up by its witty script and brilliantly knowing performances.