Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: October 17, 2014

8.2	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 1882 Ratings

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BikerjamesOct 27, 2014

Loved the acting, loved the look and style of the film. The movie just didn't click with me. The film is filled with pretentious and unlikeable whiny drama queens and I had nobody to root for. I also think it's hard for me to relate toLoved the acting, loved the look and style of the film. The movie just didn't click with me. The film is filled with pretentious and unlikeable whiny drama queens and I had nobody to root for. I also think it's hard for me to relate to people that can't behave professionally and simply come to work and do their jobs. As good as the camera work is, it will occasionally distract you because you will constantly wonder how they filmed some of the shots. I did love how Keaton and Norton literally and figuratively exposed themselves and thought they both did a great job. I also loved Andrea Riseborough as the daughter fresh out of rehab. But in the end the film does not have the repeatability factor - I have no desire to see it twice due to the unlikeable characters.… Expand

4 of 15 users found this helpful411

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JE61Oct 26, 2014

I congratulate Alejandro González Iñárritu on this absolutely superb black comedy. The script is delightful and witty as he cleverly uses magical realism to near perfect effect as he examines the failure and fulfillment of fictionalI congratulate Alejandro González Iñárritu on this absolutely superb black comedy. The script is delightful and witty as he cleverly uses magical realism to near perfect effect as he examines the failure and fulfillment of fictional actor/director, Riggan Thomson.

The protagonist's on screen and off screen struggles whirl around at a dizzying pace as the camera follows him through the narrow shabby, sets, halls and rooftops of the theater. Seamlessly the audience slides along with him from one stormy long take to the next spirited long take. Skillfully, acted and choreographed, the camera follows the players through the grimy backstage of a broadway play as the fragile production teeters on collapse at every turn.

The accident ridden production reflects Riggan's internal strife as he teeters on the edge mental breakdown. Haunted by inexorable unconscious voices that foment both his ambition and self doubt, he struggles to be the artist he envisions . . . if only he doesn't destroy the whole thing himself along the way. Take this certain "Best Picture" nominee roller coaster ride and hold on with two hands.… Expand

56 of 74 users found this helpful5618

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Brent_MarchantOct 26, 2014

An audacious black comedy that speaks to our notions of what we believe constitutes love and admiration and what really matters in the end. Despite some occasional lapses in the writing and some periodic pacing issues in the first half-hour,An audacious black comedy that speaks to our notions of what we believe constitutes love and admiration and what really matters in the end. Despite some occasional lapses in the writing and some periodic pacing issues in the first half-hour, the film delivers on all other fronts, especially its biting humor, intriguing visuals and stellar performances by Michael Keaton, Edward Norton and Emma Stone. This is definitely not for everyone, but for those seeking a film that will make them laugh -- and think -- this is a terrific offering on both fronts.… Expand

6 of 11 users found this helpful65

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LowbrowCinemaOct 26, 2014

Bravura filmmaking and a wonderful cast, excluding star Michael Keaton who simply can't pull this off, BIRDMAN is ultimately banal, self-indulgent claptrap signifying nothing but everything it purports to criticize.

13 of 32 users found this helpful1319

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wymanOct 26, 2014

This movie really should've been good, but I think the filmmakers got caught up in making oscar-bait as opposed to making an actually good movie. Let's start off with the acting: The acting is great, not phenomenal, but definitely deservingThis movie really should've been good, but I think the filmmakers got caught up in making oscar-bait as opposed to making an actually good movie. Let's start off with the acting: The acting is great, not phenomenal, but definitely deserving of some Oscar nominations. Edward Norton kills it, and gives the best performance in the film, but that shouldn't detract from the other performances. Keaton, Stone, Watts, Galifianakis; all of them are great. The writing is also good, but again, it's not phenomenal. It touches on many different aspects of Broadway, and show business in general, but at times seems corny and unrealistic. Overall, however, the writing is effective, and one of the better aspects of the film.

Now, the bad part. The shtick of the film is that it is all in one continuous shot. I assume this is because it is a story about a play, and thus this is to give it a play-like feel. However, this ends up making the film messy, and entirely distracts us from what is going on. There are tons of extreme close-ups that after a while get boring and repetitive. We feel like we're almost trapped in this theater, with all these characters, and like we can't escape. Yes, the shots are cool, but they do nothing to progress the story. Thus, they only exist so that critics can rave about the, "Unique, beautiful cinematography." It is unique, yes, but does that mean it is good? As they say, "...your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should." If you made a film that was shot entirely using the color Brown, it would be unique, but nothing about that would make it a good film.

It isn't boring, and it isn't awful. However, it is over-hyped and over-done. It is well acted and written, but doesn't have any more substance than other films that consistently get looked over come oscar season; honestly, the film Bad Words has just as good of writing and acting as this, and I can guarantee you it will earn approximately zero Oscar nominations. Don't even get me started on the ending, where the film completely could have redeemed itself, only to flush that opportunity down the toilet in exchange for an ending that, while UNIQUE, entirely doesn't answer the questions proposed throughout the film.… Expand

19 of 40 users found this helpful1921

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FranzHcriticOct 26, 2014

The film has an excellent cast, with two leads Keaton and Norton the stars, and the cinematography is a brave and successful concept. While overall the film is overdone, it is by no means off putting. A witty, surreal, and really blackThe film has an excellent cast, with two leads Keaton and Norton the stars, and the cinematography is a brave and successful concept. While overall the film is overdone, it is by no means off putting. A witty, surreal, and really black comedy, it has an exceeding amount of talent, and I can see it as an Oscar contender. Not the best pick, but certainly a contender.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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ArgeonOct 25, 2014

This movie is simply fascinating. It starts off being very confusing, sort of like staring at a painting 3 centimeters from it, and then as the movie continues, you zoom out and can see the entire picture. The acting is top notch, on-par withThis movie is simply fascinating. It starts off being very confusing, sort of like staring at a painting 3 centimeters from it, and then as the movie continues, you zoom out and can see the entire picture. The acting is top notch, on-par with The Master and The Godfather, and touches on many subjects, such as the pressures of theatre and the meaning of performance. It's a very thoughtful movie with a quirky style and fantastic message behind it. I cannot recommend it enough. If you want to watch some Oscars-material and want to think, don't hesitate to watch it.… Expand

9 of 16 users found this helpful97

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beingryanjudeOct 19, 2014

Leave it to Alejandro González Iñárritu to orchestrate this technical, cinematic and storytelling brilliance. Michael Keaton is back and better than ever before alongside notable performances from Naomi Watts, Edward Norton and Emma Stone.Leave it to Alejandro González Iñárritu to orchestrate this technical, cinematic and storytelling brilliance. Michael Keaton is back and better than ever before alongside notable performances from Naomi Watts, Edward Norton and Emma Stone. Birdman is like nothing you've ever seen.… Expand

14 of 21 users found this helpful147

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BHBarryOct 19, 2014

"Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" stars Michael Keaton, Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis and Emma Stone. One would expect that, with a cast like this, the film would have to be a winner. Unfortunately it is not"Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" stars Michael Keaton, Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis and Emma Stone. One would expect that, with a cast like this, the film would have to be a winner. Unfortunately it is not and despite or because of the direction of Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu and the screenplay by Alexander Dinclarus, Armando Bo and Nicholas Giacobone, the viewer is subjected to great and talented actors being compelled to participate in a weak story filled with surrealistic sequences that add little and in many ways detract from the essence of the film. The acclaim that other critics have afforded this film seems to be based more on the uniqueness and unorthodox techniques than the quality of the film itself. Different doesn’t always mean better and in this instance the interjections by the writers and director serve only to distract rather than supplement the characters and the roles they play. That being said, the performances of Messrs. Keaton and Norton are worth seeing but one wishes they were in a different vehicle. I give the film 2 and ½ stars because fine acting deserves proper recognition but it can never make a mediocre film really good.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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foxgroveOct 17, 2014

In a world where most movie these days are generic and formulaic, Birdman is a refreshing and exciting concept. An exhilarating and inventive movie that has one licking one's lips in eager anticipation as to what will happen next.
Most ofIn a world where most movie these days are generic and formulaic, Birdman is a refreshing and exciting concept. An exhilarating and inventive movie that has one licking one's lips in eager anticipation as to what will happen next.
Most of the film takes part in and around a theatre on Broadway. Here, the actors are getting ready to open a new play which is meant to resurrect the career of Riggans (Michael Keaton). After success as a superhero called Birdman, both audiences and critics have been unable to take him seriously in any other roles. He sees this as his big chance to prove them all wrong. For Keaton, it could be said, life is imitating art. However, here he has never been better. Dispensing with his usual repertoire of tics and mannerisms he is a revelation giving possibly the year's tour de force performance. This is deserved Oscar calibre stuff. Sentiment doesn't come in to it.
He is surrounded by an intriguingly eclectic bunch of top class actors who add a fantastic dynamic to the overall picture. Edward Norton and Emma Stone shine the brightest and both have knockout scenes, but Andrea Riseborough, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan and Zach Galfianikis are all equally exciting.
Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu demonstrates a firm and confident hold on the material and pulls of an amazingly innovative feat by making most of the film look as if it has been shot in one continuous take. The reality is that visual effects have been at work. Never the less the result is sensational and left me awestruck at the sheer bravado on display.
The two hour running time flies past and whilst enjoying the brilliance of the actors and the maturity of great writing and technique, one is also able to applaud the wonderful cinematography, effective sound and the inspiredl, but perfectly fitting score.
It's also refreshing to have a superhero movie that is most definitely about something other than explosions, noise and special effects. This is a true original. The type of film that the cinema was made for.… Expand

11 of 19 users found this helpful118

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benuttyOct 17, 2014

Birdman perfectly translates theater to screen. The film speaks as the actor, director, producer and critic all at once, examining the changing nature of fame and art and how stars cultivate it. Although at times leaving me dizzy, Lubezki'sBirdman perfectly translates theater to screen. The film speaks as the actor, director, producer and critic all at once, examining the changing nature of fame and art and how stars cultivate it. Although at times leaving me dizzy, Lubezki's effortless cinematography steals the show, while Keaton and Norton give exemplary performances. Stone is better than usual, while Watts continues to baffle. For me, the film never chooses a side on the topic of fame-whoring, but most seem to disagree.

My biggest gripe is that it should have ended elsewhere.… Expand

10 of 19 users found this helpful109

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FleshWorldOct 17, 2014

The movie starts out a little pretentiously, but after the first five minutes or so it becomes quite an extraordinary film. Michael Keaton of course does a great job but the most inspired casting was clearly Edward Norton. He hasn't beenThe movie starts out a little pretentiously, but after the first five minutes or so it becomes quite an extraordinary film. Michael Keaton of course does a great job but the most inspired casting was clearly Edward Norton. He hasn't been this good in a movie maybe since Primal Fear. Naomi Watts is also super effective in a smaller role. What makes this movie great however is the directing and the continuous shot approach. It takes the rather ordinary life of a boring old Broadway play at infuses it with a sense of energy. Not since Noises Off have I've been this wired watching a behind-the-scenes view of the Broadway show. Really good stuff, but clearly not for everyone.… Expand

12 of 20 users found this helpful128

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