Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

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2:44

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

R

2015

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

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359 Reviews

78%

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50,000+ Ratings

Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a castmate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor (Edward Norton) who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife.

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Critics Consensus

A thrilling leap forward for director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman is an ambitious technical showcase powered by a layered story and outstanding performances from Michael Keaton and Edward Norton.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/01/2017

B+

It's not perfect (it can be exhausting at times, actually), but it says a lot about people, narcissism and the co-dependent relationship between actor and celebrity.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

06/18/2016

A thunderbolt reminder of the kind of quick-thinking, quick-talking, quick-witted characters that Keaton used to specialize in, and Iñárritu finds the right style to showcase his gifts.

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Nick Schager

Esquire Magazine

02/22/2016

Even when Keaton is transforming his character's stock issues into ones that feel unique and genuine, he's undercut by his director's flashiness, right up to an on-the-nose finale.

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Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

06/17/2024

What Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu was able to achieve in this film is still astounding to me.

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Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

04/15/2024

...a film that is just as much about the film industry itself, as it is about the pursuit of happiness, and our ridiculously desperate need to be admired, recognized, and respected by people that shouldn’t really matter to us.

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Angelos Koutsourakis

PopMatters

02/21/2024

If the theater frame story in Birdman plays a self-reflexive role, this is nothing but a manifestation of Hollywood's need to return back to its narrative roots.

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Levi J

@Lev77 6d

A one-of-a-kind, interesting, creative, provocative masterpiece from Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu!!! A fabulous cast, ingenious screenplay, and masterful cinematography

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu Apr 10

Thought-provoking banger! Smart, sharp, and deeply engaging. Keaton and Norton are unreal here. Emma Stone shines bright even in her limited moments. Every character is written well and executed to perfection.

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Justin K.

@bootsyandbbyratemoofies27 Mar 20

Unique. Shouldn’t have won best picture - but still, worth a watch.

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Daniel Z

@Daniell2 Feb 1

Here not a single performance falters.

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Niklas L

@RT69374090 Jan 20

The movie is about creating something. Creating a play cost the protagonist everything. Yet, it is not very important to anyone else. Still, it is of utmost importance to him. His dedication and effort is real. Furthermore, the movie is about the protagonist finding identity. Through creating something that is hard to do, he wants to show— to himself and others—that he is a good actor. The movie also critiques the search for identity-through-creation and prestige-through-creation. The protagonists performance is taking up all his capacity, there's little thought given to others (lover, daughter, wife). He is completely focused on his career and this play/creation only, never leaving the theatre except for bars. In the end, however, seeing a flock of birds and feeling the gentle breeze of the summer wind on his cheeks, he remembers that we are in a universe that takes whatever it wants, and that we need to be grateful for every single human emotion and connection that we get.

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Duane M

@Duanedabath Jan 9

That analogy of the ups and downs of fame that shakes actors in the entertainment culture, is what keeps it flying at the heights

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Birdman: Trailer 1

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Birdman: Teaser Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a castmate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor (Edward Norton) who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Producer: Alejandro González Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole
Screenwriter: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: New Regency Pictures, M Prods, Le Grisbi
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.3M
Runtime: 1h 59m

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