Why Birdman?

I watched Birdman this weekend and let me say this out straight away that I didn’t think the movie was great. I thought it was average at best.

Now, what I really want to understand is the phenomena around Birdman. It has got a ton of rave reviews and of course the Oscar now. What is it that people see in this movie that I don’t? I thought the performances of all the actors were pretty good. The illusion of having shot the movie in one straight long shot was brilliant. The story was alright but I have heard people say that it so reflective of the times we live in and that it is a beautiful study on the complex human existence that is a little out of sync with today. First of all, any decent movie made in today's time will be reflective of the times we live in, whether or not they want it that way. Also don't we all see this kind of existence nearly every day? Haven't we met a bunch of people who can't wrap their heads around twitter and tinder and are still trying to find their fleet in their careers?

So what I am saying is that I don’t buy into these two pseudo-intellectual reasons at all. What I do wish to understand are the real reasons though. What do people love so much about this movie. How is it that they relate to this protagonist and his circumstances? What blows them away or what moves them so dearly. Do some people find this movie mildly funny or intelligent enough to declare this the best movie?

Would love to hear from everyone on this.