#BirdmanOrTheUnexpectedVirtueOfIgnorance

[fdo7]

Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) Dir.: Alejandro G. Iñarritu Un actor ligado a una exitosa saga de superheroes se dedica a realizar una obra de teatro que lo desmarcaria de su mas iconico personaje, pero para eso tendra que lidiar con una hija adicta y un actor con el ego por las nubes. Una oscura comedia dramatica sobre el estado de la industria cinematografica y del star bussiness con un Michael Keaton brillante y un Edward Norton genial parodiandose a si mismo, con una fotografia sumamente artificial pero original para este tipo de relato. Una pelicula que en mi ha dejado de gustar de a poco, pues siento que es disfrutable en la novedad mas que en la perpetuidad. 7.8/10 #birdmanortheunexpectedvirtueofignorance #birdman #alejandrogonzalezinarritu #michaelkeaton #edwardnorton #emmastone #zachgalifianakis #naomiwatts #movies

[doomonfilm]

Favorites : Birdman, or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Sometimes, a film comes out, and it is well received, but as time goes on, the reverence grows, and it eventually reaches classic or masterpiece status.  As a longtime fan of film, I would say that this is the normal trajectory for films heralded at this level.  There are a few special moments, however, when a film is released, and from day one its status as a masterpiece is undeniable.  This was the case in 2014, when Alejandro G. Inarritu released Birdman, or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). 

Former movie star Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton), world renowned for his performances as Birdman in the superhero film series surrounding the character, is attempting to revitalize his career via the stage.  Riggan plans on financing and starring in a production of Raymond Carver’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Love for Broadway, but at every turn he learns that the stage and the screen are completely different beasts.  Riggan is supported by his lawyer and best friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis), his actress girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough), and his daughter/personal assistant Sam (Emma), but issues with the production and press constantly make Riggan second guess himself.  The evening before the show reaches preview stage, star of the show Ralph (Jeremy Shamos) is struck by a light that Riggan believes he willed to fall, further causing Riggan to second guess himself and his sanity.  Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Riggan finds himself in desperate need of a new star, but his co-star Lesley (Naomi Watts) comes to the rescue by convincing her boyfriend and Broadway star Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) to join the cast at the final hour.  Mike brings a level of acting chops to the table that is much needed, but the tension between he and Riggan further frustrates show efforts, eventually leading to an opening night that nobody in attendance would soon forget.

The subtlety with which Alejandro G. Inarritu approaches the possibility of madness within Riggan Thompson is nothing short of pure brilliance.  I can only imagine that being an international superstar that plays a superhero can give the average man something akin to a God complex, and watching Riggan struggle with that former superiority and his current status as a ‘nobody’ is absolutely heartbreaking to watch.  Most times, we are unsure if he is throwing a tantrum, or if he actually possesses the powers that are hinted at with each instance, and it is precisely this hook that keeps us hanging on throughout the film.

Just underneath Riggan’s personal narrative are two concurrent and classic conflicts : family versus career, and stage versus film (or Hollywood versus Broadway).  In terms of family, Riggan displays the classic trap of, as his ex-wife puts it, ‘confusing love for admiration’, which therefore isolates him from those he supposedly loves the most.  His daughter is ultimately only in his life because of a job opportunity, and he’s willing to jeopardize her financial future to pay Mike Shiner to essentially publicly humiliate him.  When it comes to Hollywood versus Broadway, the tension is palatable between Riggan and Shiner, specifically when it comes to Riggan’s idea of what acting is versus Mike’s undying dedication to his craft (to the point that it cripples his ability to be real anywhere but the stage).  The true humor lies in the fact that even these two actors will always band together against their true ‘enemy’, the critic.  

The meta-humor at the expense of Hollywood is one of the best aspects of the film, especially the paradox of ‘cape’ films done by high-level actors.  Part of the film’s immediate legend is the one-take illusion, where the camera floats through hallways, rooms and the streets like a specter observing Riggan’s descent into madness.  The underlying and ongoing digs at superhero culture are maintained from start to finish, be it the titular and made up Birdman character, the mentions of top notch Hollywood talent becoming Avengers, or even Riggan’s stroll through Times Square and a collection of costumed heroes in a parade.  The score shifts seamlessly between orchestral pieces and a driving, drum-centered set of selections that both cue us emotionally and push us forward through the film.  One of the nice, subtle touches of the film is the presence of viral social media culture, and Riggan’s slow realization/acceptance of it.

Michael Keaton is running on all cylinders, bringing a beautiful unbalance to the table of pride, fear, uneasiness, and a commitment to completing a work that may ultimately break all of his loving connections.  Emma Stone plays a troubled, lost soul looking for connection from a father figure that was never able to give it to her, allowing her natural magnetism to make us feel bad for her without pitying her.  Edward Norton brings his top notch acting chops to the table while relishing in acting as a pretentious actor.  Zach Galifianakis lays heavy on the drama and reality while still managing to let his offbeat sense of humor have a solid presence.  Naomi Watts, a personal favorite of mine, brings the innocence of hope to her role, while still presenting a woman attempting to take a stance against an overbearing significant other, all in hopes she is not ultimately overshadowed in the world of Broadway.  Andrea Riseborough, though only being allowed a limited supporting role, makes her appearances memorable with a tender humor solely present only in her character.  Lindsay Duncan brings equal levels of pretension to the table that Norton does, but with a significantly more vicious edge.  Appearances by Merritt Wever, Jeremy Shamos, Amy Ryan, Benjamin Kanes and more round out a wonderfully solid cast.

Birdman, or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) hits me the way that a film like 8 1/2 hit me in terms of the way it is able to be complex, brutally honest, meta and humorous when turning the lens on itself.  The Birdman section of the title is clearly a nod at Keaton’s time as Batman, but the true genius of the title lies in (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)... in my opinion, this is a glorified way to identify Riggan’s symbolic and literal leap of faith, which is a very human moment we all deal with eventually.  Sometimes, in fact most times, that leap must be taken despite an unclear landing, if only in hopes we will come out better when all is said and done.

[blankpagesofmine]

Tabitha: It doesn't matter, I'm gonna destroy your play. Riggan: But you didn't even see it. Did I do something to offend you? #photooftheday #picoftheday #moviebuff #filmaddict #movies #film #cinema #birdman #birdmanortheunexpectedvirtueofignorance #michaelkeaton #alejandrogonzalesinarritu #rigganthomson

[reflections-in-t]

. 『バードマン あるいは（無知がもたらす予期せぬ奇跡）』は、ここ数十年の間でもっとも感銘を受けた映画。で、おそらくぼくの生涯ベスト5に入る一本。 . この愛してやまない珠玉の作品が、いよいよNetflixに登場。 . 監督のアレハンドロ・ゴンサレス・イニャリトゥは寡作ではあるものの、つねに上質な作品で感動を与えてくれる信頼度最上級の作家。製作総指揮を担当した「美しい人」「愛する人」、監督作の「21グラム」「バベル」「BIUTIFUL」など、どれひとつとして期待を裏切られることはなかったし、未見の「レヴェナント：蘇えりし者」も期待大。 . バードマン…はあまりにも印象が強く、再び観るにはそれなりの時の経過が必要だと考え、iTunesやレンタルにはあえて手を出さずに。けれど、封切から約2年弱という絶好のタイミングであちらからやってきてくれたこの多幸感・笑。愉悦の時間がふたたびはじまります。 . #BirdmanOrTheUnexpectedVirtueOfIgnorance #AlejandroGonzalezInarritu #Birdman #バードマンあるいは無知がもたらす予期せぬ奇跡 #アレハンドロゴンサレスイニャリトゥ #MichaelKeaton #マイケルキートン #NaomiWatts #ナオミワッツ #EmmaStone #エマストーン #EdwardNorton #エドワードノートン #AntonioSanchez #アントニオサンチェス #EmmanuelLubezki #エマニュエルルベツキ #Netflix

[tazzescobar]

Bird Feeder. #photography #myphotography #nycphotography #streetphotography #nikonphotography #blackandwhitephotography #nikon #blackandwhite #d3300 #thebirdfeeder🐤 #birdfeeder #gatheraround #coneyisland #bread #trip #totalroyaltyindependentproductions #streetphotographer #streetphotographers #eat #birds #birdphotography #birdphotographer #birdmanortheunexpectedvirtueofignorance #birdman #likeapainting http://ift.tt/2isD0qJ

[findlahistoria]

Tal día como hoy un 14 de noviembre de 2014 se estrenó en los cines de USA "Birdman o la inesperada virtud de la ignorancia" Oscar a mejor película y director en la 87° edición de los Oscar. #Birdman #TaldiaComoHoy #EfemeridesDeCine #efemeride #MichaelKeaton #AlejandroGonzalezIñarritu #Cine #Movies #EmmaStone #NaomiWatts #EdwardNorton #BirdmanOrTheUnexpectedVirtueOfIgnorance

[theplaylistfilm]

Happy birthday to Michael Keaton! 

Illustration by Peter Strain for @thenewyorker

The Essentials: The 10 Best Michael Keaton Performances

[fdo7]

#birdman #birdmanortheunexpectedvirtueofignorance #alejandrogonzalezinarritu #michaelkeaton #edwardnorton #emmastone #zachgalifianakis #naomiwatts #film #cinema

[hellcheer-munson]

I actually really love #Birdman #ortheunexpectedvirtueofignorane #birdmanortheunexpectedvirtueofignorance #michaelkeaton #edwardnorton #emmastone #naomiwatts #movies

[thebrothersbearpodcast]

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Such a great throwback. I still remember the summer of 1992 when Birdman came out. It was the biggest movie of the summer. It stayed in the top-spot for weeks. A League of Their Own, The Bodyguard, My Cousin Vinny, Wayne's World, nor Aladdin came close to how big this movie was. Riggan Thomson has to be my favorite actor to play a superhero in a film. I remember seeing this commercial and begging my mom to take me to Toy's R' Us to buy a Birdman toy. Man I had my own Birdman adventures with my friends all the time. no toy compared to this. I wish I still had it. Sadly people are marking up the price on eBay ever since Riggan's new Broadway play, "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love," has become a hit. I actually saw the pay during a preview night but man I wish I saw the one where he shot himself. Will we get a new Birdman, please enjoy a blast from the past. #birdman #michaelkeaton #BirdmanorTheUnexpectedVirtueofIgnorance #irantradio #rantradionetwork

[hellcheer-munson]

Why is this me?!? #mikeshiner #birdman #theatre #birdmanortheunexpectedvirtueofignorance #edwardnorton #thisisthetheatresweetheart