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Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

  • 2014
  • R
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
682K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,705
314
Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Ryan, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, and Andrea Riseborough in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.
Play trailer2:53
45 Videos
99+ Photos
Dark ComedySatireShowbiz DramaWorkplace DramaComedyDrama

A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.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
    • Alexander Dinelaris
  • Stars
    • Michael Keaton
    • Zach Galifianakis
    • Edward Norton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    682K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,705
    314
    • Director
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Writers
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
      • Nicolás Giacobone
      • Alexander Dinelaris
    • Stars
      • Michael Keaton
      • Zach Galifianakis
      • Edward Norton
    • 1.5KUser reviews
    • 559Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 Oscars
      • 193 wins & 297 nominations total

    Videos45

    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:53
    International Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Official Trailer
    Clip
    Clip 1:20
    Clip
    Birdman
    Clip 1:26
    Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:25
    Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:08
    Birdman

    Photos313

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 308
    View Poster

    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Michael Keaton
    Michael Keaton
    • Riggan
    Zach Galifianakis
    Zach Galifianakis
    • Jake
    Edward Norton
    Edward Norton
    • Mike
    Andrea Riseborough
    Andrea Riseborough
    • Laura
    Emma Stone
    Emma Stone
    • Sam
    Kenny Chin
    Kenny Chin
    • Korean Grocer
    Jamahl Garrison-Lowe
    • Stagehand (Daniel)
    Naomi Watts
    Naomi Watts
    • Lesley
    Jeremy Shamos
    Jeremy Shamos
    • Ralph
    Katherine O'Sullivan
    Katherine O'Sullivan
    • Costume Assistant
    Damian Young
    Damian Young
    • Gabriel
    Keenan Shimizu
    • Han
    Akira Ito
    • Translator
    Natalie Gold
    Natalie Gold
    • Clara
    Merritt Wever
    Merritt Wever
    • Annie
    Michael Siberry
    Michael Siberry
    • Larry
    Clark Middleton
    Clark Middleton
    • Sydney
    Amy Ryan
    Amy Ryan
    • Sylvia
    • Director
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Writers
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
      • Nicolás Giacobone
      • Alexander Dinelaris
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1.5K

    7.7682.2K
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    Featured reviews

    10PIST-OFF

    for once the academy got it right

    With all due respect to Eastwood's American Sniper, the academy actually got it right with this pick for best picture. Every actor and actress in this given the space to breathe life into characters, every monologue and dialogue hits like a ton of bricks, every scene tries to get towards some fundamental truth of human nature only to have the next scene undermine that character and that purported truth. It's amazing that in the era of comic book universe movies that something like this can get made at all. An absolute must see before you die movie.
    9demibrun

    Fascinating, but not for all tastes

    I absolutely loved the film. From the colors to the amazing camera work and the brilliant performances, it was a masterpiece. However i do believe that some people may find it tiring, nevertheless the movie has its twists and comic reliefs.
    chatoymas

    (...) the movie gets better in every way (...)

    I'm not exaggerating when I rate this movie a 10/10. From the first minute it's intriguing, you want to keep watching, not just for the impeccable performances, but for the incredible montage of scenes and the quality of the script. And best of all, as time goes on, the movie gets better in every way. Without a doubt, it is one of the best films in the history of cinema.
    CalRhys

    True Definition Of A Masterpiece

    Whilst viewing 'Birdman', I spent the first hour of the film trying to decipher my emotions and opinions towards it, what I was watching was a weird, yet wonderful work of art. Truly though, 'Birdman' is a technical masterpiece. Michael Keaton has generally been undermined as an actor (despite a few notable roles as Batman or Beetlejuice) and has instead faced Hollywood picking more acclaimed and popular actors, 'Birdman' however might just be his ticket to an Oscar nomination, and possibly even a win, his performance is mesmerising. Alejandro González Iñárritu has created a truly spectacular character study that arguably features this year's strongest acting performances, alongside a well- executed script, booming soundtrack and a monumental achievement with cinematography from Emmanuel Lubezki in which he attempts a Hitchcockian approach, reminiscent of 'Rope', and displays the story through a seemingly single and unbroken sweeping shot. This is the true definition of a masterpiece.
    9wijajo-72563

    Hypnotising

    A washed-up ex-superhero actor is trying to make a mark on Broadway. Unfortunately, his new found want to make 'something serious', as opposed to superhero films, is challenged by the inability to shake his old persona.

    It's a film about Hollywood and its many personalities - the drug-addicted, the mentally unwell, the sexual abusers, the egotistical, the scathing critics, the stars and the has-beens. It's not a topic I particularly care for and I didn't enjoy Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' or Alma Har'el/Shia Lebeouf's 'Honey Boy'.

    Birdman, however, hypnotised me. You're greeted by snaking, daydream-like single shots that seem stretch forever, one scene flowing effortlessly into another through a combination of clever camera work, editing, and special effects. In short, it's a cinematographic dream. The high-conflict scenes, action, script, and larger than life characters glue your eyes to the screen in this rollercoaster that's effortless to watch. For a film about Hollywood, you'd expect good acting, and it certainly didn't disappoint, whether from Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, or the rest of the talented cast.

    Birdman thrusts you into supernaturalism briefly, before thrusting you back to reality. It leaves it up to you how to interpret some key events and this creates division within the audience.

    I understand why some dislike the film. I didn't find it meaningful, deep, or clear to what its message was. However, its punchy style was refreshingly new, worked perfectly, and is reason alone for cinephiles to delve into this engaging whirlwind of a film.

    Oscars Best Picture Winners, Ranked

    Oscars Best Picture Winners, Ranked

    See the complete list of Oscars Best Picture winners, ranked by IMDb ratings.
    See the complete list
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Because the movie was carefully rehearsed and shot in sequence, editing took only two weeks.
    • Goofs
      When Riggan goes back to the theater after a drunk night out, right after he's touching ground beneath his feet again, there can a couple be seen walking from the left side of the frame to the right, away from the camera (we can only see them from behind). When Riggan passes the couple the right man can be seen making a very sudden quick (and very unnatural looking) hand-movement in direction to Riggan's back. This movement might have been necessary to detach the cables from Michael Keaton's back that he needed to be attached to for the flying scene.
    • Quotes

      Note on Riggan's dressing room mirror: A thing is a thing, not what is said of that thing.

    • Crazy credits
      Begin and end credits are presented in a peculiar style with the rhythm of the drums
    • Alternate versions
      The Sundance TV broadcast removes the swearing and crops the scene featuring Edward Norton's butt so that it is not shown.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Zach Galifianakis/Casey Wilson/Andrew Orvedahl (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Birdman Blind Melody
      Composed by Joan Valent

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    FAQ22

    • How long is Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)?Powered by Alexa
    • 64 minutes in, as Lesley walks away from Riggan's dressing room, who are the two naked people who can be seen very briefly?
    • What does "The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance" mean? Why is it the movie's secondary title?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 14, 2014 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Fox Searchlight (United States)
      • New Regency Productions (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Birdman o (La inesperada virtud de la ignorancia)
    • Filming locations
      • Rum House, Hotel Edison - 228W, 47th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(bar scenes)
    • Production companies
      • New Regency Productions
      • M Productions
      • Le Grisbi Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $18,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $42,340,598
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $424,397
      • Oct 19, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $103,215,094
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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