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 concept of shooting a feature-length film in one, continuous take was accomplished with Russian Ark (2002), which was shot in a single one hour and thirty-six minute Steadicam sequence.

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Goofs

After the preview screening when Mike freaks out about his gin really being water, Riggan goes upstairs with Jake and they have a conversation. Afterwards, Riggan walks down the hall and is then greeted by Mike. When Riggan yells "Hey, out in front of the theater in ten minutes!", you can see the rest of the hall behind Riggan. Unfortunately, you can also see the pink piece of tape used for Riggan's mark to stop to talk to Jake.

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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

Referenced in Loose Canon: Oscar Bait: A History (2016)

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Soundtracks

Chorus of Exiled Palestinians from The Death of Klinghoffer
Composed by John Adams
Libretto by Alice Goodman
Performed by the Orchestra of the Opéra de Lyon, conducted by Kent Nagano;
The London Opera Chorus, Directed by Richard Cooke
Courtesy of Nonesuch Records
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Beautiful mess...

It's chaotic and loses focus now and again, but it is ambitious with some of the best acting you will see in any movie this year. It is witty and self aware and there are many who simply won't "get it". If your tastes lean more to the obvious or straight forward, this is not the movie for you. If you like imaginative, challenging, and visually stunning films that deal with ego, passion, love, weakness, insecurity and redemption, this is worth your time.

Unfortunately some subplots are completely forgotten and character arcs begun but not finished, but there is so much rewarding here to be found these are mostly forgiven shortcomings. The editing and scene structure plays like a stream of consciousness, but the consciousness of a very neurotic person. And while there are several standout performances in a uniformly excellent cast, Keaton is the the focus and he is amazing. He runs the gauntlet of neurosis and desperation and pulls it off with an amazing balancing act between insanity and relatability. Perhaps not the best film of the year, but a very memorable one.