Birdman
released 2014

”Birdman” or ”The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance” is an American comedy /drama that is produced by Alejandro G. Inarritu (who also directed it), John Lesher, Arnon Milchan and James W. Skotchdopole. It was written by Alejandro G. Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo. It stars Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Lindsay Duncan, Bill Camp, Merritt Wever and Naomi Watts. “Birdman” won an Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography.

Riggan Thomson, played by Michael Keaton, is a washed up, once famous actor who was famous for playing a superhero named Birdman in his youth. He hopes to re-invent his career and not live in the fame of the past. The story is Riggan basically directing and starring in a Broadway play called “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”. It is produced by Riggan´s friend Jake, played by Zach Galifianakis. The story is the struggle Riggan has in directing, casting and funding of the play as well as managing the relationships in his life such as the relationship between himself and his daughter Samantha, played by Emma Stone. There is also the character of Mike Shiner, played by Edward Norton, who is a very talented wild card in the production.

I liked this film because it shows us a Broadway production from the point of view of directors, actors and producers. From the seedy hallways to the bright stage it is an interesting tour of a play from behind the curtain.

What I liked most of all was the story itself. The central theme of the story is a man trying desperately not to live in the past. He is constantly reminded of his past fame as the Birdman and must prove to himself that he is more than his Birdman fame. He is Riggan Thomson and not Birdman. This is the story of someone who refuses to be swallowed up by a character they once played. He refuses the illusions of his past fame.

In the end we are left wondering just how much of his imaginings were real. Can he really fly? This is a movie that deserves a happy a ending even if we are left with a few questions to figure out ourselves. I highly recommend “Birdman” because it is a good film and it´s different from all other films made in 2014.

(Commentary by www.ink2quill.com )
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I2Q Blogs / The Visual Medium Alejandro Inarritu / Amy Ryan / Andrea Riseborough / Birdman / Edward Norton / Emma Stone / Michael Keaton /