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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.
All Critics (334) | Top Critics (61) | Fresh (305) | Rotten (29) | DVD (3)
Birdman is a one-trick pony of a movie, but what a trick. The technical achievement alone is immense. Jan 16, 2015 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…
Birdman is a one-trick pony of a movie, but what a trick. The technical achievement alone is immense.
Paul Byrnes
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. Jan 2, 2015 | Full Review…
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.
Jocelyn Noveck
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. Jan 2, 2015 | Full Review…
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.
Andrew O'Hehir
The characters in Birdman don't always find redemption, but Iñárritu's faith in people has never felt more real. Jan 2, 2015 | Full Review…
The characters in Birdman don't always find redemption, but Iñárritu's faith in people has never felt more real.
Adam Woodward
This is a strange and beautiful and unique film, one of the best movies of the year. Jan 2, 2015 | Rating: 4/4
This is a strange and beautiful and unique film, one of the best movies of the year.
Richard Roeper
The reason this scalding industry satire works as well as it does is because it has a grounding in some fairly uncomfortable truths about the movie business even as the plot indulges in flights -- literally -- of fancy. Jan 2, 2015 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
The reason this scalding industry satire works as well as it does is because it has a grounding in some fairly uncomfortable truths about the movie business even as the plot indulges in flights -- literally -- of fancy.
Wendy Ide
This film is a masterpiece and is highly recommended to anyone who is into this genre. Michael Keaton is incredible to watch on screen and he will keep you entertained until the very end. Mar 1, 2019 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
This film is a masterpiece and is highly recommended to anyone who is into this genre. Michael Keaton is incredible to watch on screen and he will keep you entertained until the very end.
Vladimir Jean-Gilles
Birdman proved to be a film worth seeing but one that is ultimately forgettable. Feb 5, 2019 | Full Review…
Birdman proved to be a film worth seeing but one that is ultimately forgettable.
Amanda Greever
Iñárritu brings a visual flair to Birdman, whisking the camera in and out of backstage corridors -- mostly in one sweeping shot. The whirlwind camera movement captures the insanity of the backstage antics, almost as if it is another character. Jan 24, 2019 | Rating: A | Full Review…
Iñárritu brings a visual flair to Birdman, whisking the camera in and out of backstage corridors -- mostly in one sweeping shot. The whirlwind camera movement captures the insanity of the backstage antics, almost as if it is another character.
Micheal Compton
The magic the audience witnesses is a window to clarity; it makes the world sharper, not more obtuse, which is very fitting indeed. Jan 9, 2019 | Full Review…
The magic the audience witnesses is a window to clarity; it makes the world sharper, not more obtuse, which is very fitting indeed.
Emily Asher-Perrin
Inarritu gives us cause to pause but, like so much great cinema that refuses to be absorbed in a single viewing, he doesn't allow us the time in which to do it. Jan 7, 2019 | Full Review…
Inarritu gives us cause to pause but, like so much great cinema that refuses to be absorbed in a single viewing, he doesn't allow us the time in which to do it.
Tara Judah
This ambitious dark comedy featuring a noteworthy turn by actor Michael Keaton is guided by a whip-smart, witty and self-aware script. Dec 30, 2018 | Rating: A- | Full Review…
This ambitious dark comedy featuring a noteworthy turn by actor Michael Keaton is guided by a whip-smart, witty and self-aware script.
Kiko Martinez
It takes quite a while to get into this. While the acting is top notch and the camera work, together with the illusion of the entire movie being a single take, is pretty interesting the writing seriously lacks some punch. Some might find that intellectual, but I can think of a handful of writers who would have delivered much more fun and realistic dialogs. As it is, the entire project is more pretentious than entertaining, despite of all the talent combined. And if I never have to hear free jazz drumming again after this, I'll be a happy man.
Super Reviewer
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.
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
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.
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