Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.

Director:

Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Writers:

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone

Stars:

Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton

Won 4 Oscars. Another 192 wins & 279 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Keaton	...	Riggan
Emma Stone	...	Sam
Kenny Chin	...	Korean Grocer
Jamahl Garrison-Lowe	...	Stagehand (Daniel)
Zach Galifianakis	...	Jake
Naomi Watts	...	Lesley
Jeremy Shamos	...	Ralph
Andrea Riseborough	...	Laura
Katherine O'Sullivan	...	Costume Assistant
Damian Young	...	Gabriel
Keenan Shimizu	...	Han
Akira Ito	...	Translator
Natalie Gold	...	Clara
Merritt Wever	...	Annie
Edward Norton	...	Mike

Storyline

Actor Riggan Thomson is most famous for his movie role from over twenty years ago of the comic book superhero Birdman in the blockbuster movie of the same name and its two equally popular sequels. His association with the role took over his life, where Birdman is more renowned than "Riggan Thomson" the actor. Now past middle age, Riggan is trying to establish himself as a true artist by writing, directing, starring in and co-producing with his best friend Jake what is his Broadway debut, an adaptation of Raymond Carver's story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. He is staking his name, what little artistic reputation that comes with that name and his life savings on the project, and as such will do anything needed to make the play a success. As he and Jake go through the process of the previews toward opening night, Riggan runs into several issues: needing to find a replacement for the integral supporting male role the night before the first preview; hiring the talented ...

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Plot Keywords:

actor | showbiz | inner voice | acting career | emotional instability | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, some sexual content and brief violence

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Searchlight [United States] Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$424,397, 19 October 2014

Gross USA:

$42,340,598

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$103,215,094

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Regency Pictures, M Productions, Grisbi Productions, Le

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Birdman suit that Michael Keaton wears was made on a mannequin of his own body from Batman (1989).

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Goofs

Jake signs Mike to replace Ralph because he is a famous stage actor. Jake tells Riggan that Mike will sell tickets, and credits the previews being sold-out to Mike. Yet Mike is not used to publicize the play, his name is not on the theater marquee or the posters, nor is he recognized when he is out in public.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Young Birdman: How did we end up here? This place is horrible. Smells like balls. We don't belong here.

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Alternate Versions

Sundance TV recently released an edited version which removes the swearing and zooms in the scene it shows Edward Norton's butt so it is not shown.

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Connections

Featured in Nostalgia Critic: Why Is Nothing Original Anymore? (2015)

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Soundtracks

Birdman Blind Melody
Composed by Joan Valent

User Reviews

Alejandro is the Real Deal

This movie really touch my soul in very different ways, I was laughing and crying at the same time when I was watching it. Alejandro's clean smooth directing really states a new canon in the way a movie is conducted, I was blown away with Michael Keaton's perfect performance and the rest of the cast did well around him. I had never seen this kind of genre called "Magical realism" as well as in this movie, it really submerge you inside the head of the main character and the brilliant drum-based score helps to explain the situation by the minute. I am very happy with the Oscars won by Alejandro (well deserved) especially because I am Mexican too. I know that this kind of movie is not for everyone, some people said that it is boring, pretentious, over-the- top, strange, difficult to understand, hideous. But let me tell you this movie is fascinating, touching, funny, sad, eloquent, fantastic and dramatic. I liked very much how it makes fun of big-budget summer-blockbusters hero-movies which easily Alejandro will have done if he had wanted but no, he preferred an artistic low budget movie that make you feel instead of make you eat popcorn.