Birdman (2014)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic 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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Cast
as Riggan
as Mike
as Jake
as Sam
as Tabitha
as Laura
as Sylvia
as Lesley
as Korean Grocer
as Daniel (Stagehand)
as Ralph
as Costume Assistant
as Gabriel
as Han
as Translator
as Clara
as Annie
as Larry
as Sydney
as Bartender (Tommy)
as Lady in Bar
as Man in Bar
as Kid in Bar (Billy)
as Dresser
as Stagehand
as Broadway Tourist
as Broadway Lady
as Broadway Kids
as Broadway Kids
as Broadway Man on Street
as Annoying Times Square Guy
as Annoying Times Squares Guy
as Annoying Times Squares Guy
as Broadway Woman on Street
as Cashier
as Mr. Roth
as Female Usher
as Liquor Store Owner
as Crazy Man
as Guy in Window
as Lady on Balcony (Mary)
as Good Neighbor
as Young Male Usher
as Cab Driver
as Intermission Woman
as Intermission Woman
as Blonde Reporter
as Newscaster
as Newscaster
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Critic Reviews for Birdman
All Critics (293) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (268) | Rotten (25) | DVD (3)
Birdman, more than most, seems a film that deserves a second viewing, not only to admire the work of Keaton and his co-stars, but to delve into its many layers.
It's a quasi-religious fable about a man haunted by the past and facing a profound moral and existential crisis in the present, and it's a dazzling display of virtuoso cinematic technique and showboat performances.
This is a strange and beautiful and unique film, one of the best movies of the year.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is the sort of movie that ends up on a person's favourite-movies-of-all-time list. It's really that fresh.
Birdman takes advantage of every facet of Keaton's talent, from his knack for absurdist comedy to his seemingly effortless ability to tap into graceful profundity without making a big show of it.
Whether or not Riggan is in fact possessed of divine abilities-Iñárritu offers contradictory clues along the way-Birdman puts on clear display the indisputable superpowers of its cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki.
Audience Reviews for Birdman
A spectacular piece of virtuoso cinema that impresses not only for its remarkable technical achievement (Lubezki reached heavens with that jaw-dropping "forged" long-take), but also for being an incredibly well-constructed (and hilarious) character study with Michael Keaton in a magnificent career-defining performance.
Super Reviewer
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a brilliant directed film by Alejandro González Iñárritu, who manipulates the camera to give the illusion that the film is one continuous long take (which can get dizzying at times) giving a film that is resonate to a modern day audience as it examins these fictitious characters and their commentary on what it means to stay relevant. The film is a deep character study of Riggan Thomson played by a moving and stellar Michael Keaton a once-time big movie star struggling to regain importance in his contemporary setting while trying to establish himself as an artist worthy of praise and to get rid of his "Birdman" image. Not to be underrated are a game Edward Norton playing Mike Shiner a popular Broadway star and Emma Stone as Sam who delivers such a moving monologue on what it means to be relevant and to leave a lasting legacy. This to me is a film that is the epitome of first class movie making. 5/5
Super Reviewer
The play within a play motif is used here to great advantage as an aging actor famous for pablum seeks to redeem his self-worth by mounting a prestigious piece on Broadway, that place where legions of the acting community believe is Shangri-La. He has problems, of course, and that mainly being that no one around him really gives a hoot regardless, and there are many of these. The work is involving, and an astute commentary on modern life in Western civilization.
Super Reviewer
Birdman Quotes
| Annie: | That’s what you always do, you confuse love for admiration. |
| Riggan: | You could jump right back into that suit, if you wanted to. |
| Riggan: | Oh, look at me! Look at this! I look like a turkey with leukemia. I'm fucking disappearing. |
| Riggan: | I don't exist. I'm not even here. I don't exist. None of this matters. |
| Riggan: | I'm nothing. I'm not even here. |
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