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Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

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Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

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Summary

Oscar-winning comedy drama starring Michael Keaton, Edward Norton and Emma Stone. Veteran actor Riggan Thomson was once a Hollywood superstar thanks to his role as the Birdman in a trilogy of superhero movies. With his career now in the doldrums, Thomson attempts to revive his fortunes by producing, writing and starring in a Broadway play. But a litany of setbacks, a hostile critic out to savage the play and his own insecurities soon push Thomson to the edge of insanity.

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Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Damon Wise

The late-midlife crisis of a fading Hollywood star is the basis of this surprisingly profound and extraordinarily kinetic satire about life and success in the age of social media. Michael Keaton stars as Riggan Thomson, an actor who found fame in the 1990s with a trilogy of superhero films based around the title character. When the film starts, Thomson is about to debut his first play as writer, producer, director and star, a piece adapted from Raymond Carver's short stories. But as woes pile on in the lead-up to opening night (money is tight, publicity is non-existent, a key player gets KO'd) Thomson begins to hear the persuasive voice of his one-time alter ego. The Birdman conceit is a good excuse for some great effects, but where Babel director Alejandro González Iñárritu really excels is in delivering an excellent drama about a man on the edge. Perhaps his best decision was to cast Keaton (Hollywood's pre-Christian Bale Batman), who is outstanding as the lead, and Edward Norton, superb as his nemesis, the Method actor from hell.

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7.7/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameRiggan Thomson / BirdmanMichael KeatonMike ShinerEdward NortonBrandon Vander HayZach GalifianakisLauraAndrea RiseboroughSam ThomsonEmma StoneLesleyNaomi WattsSylviaAmy RyanTabithaLindsay DuncanAnnieMerritt WeverGabrielDamian Young

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Crew

rolenameDirectorAlejandro González Iñárritu

Details

Theatrical distributor

20th Century Fox

Released on

2015-01-02

Languages

English

Guidance

Swearing

Available on

DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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