Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan and Andrea Riseborough

Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu

This is a dark comedy revolving around the life of former big time star Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) who was famously known for playing superhero 'Birdman' twenty years ago. At present Riggan is now a washed up actor trying to get his professional and personal life back together by writing, starring and directing in broadway show "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love". Leading up to his opening night he is tormented by his alter ego who critisises him for not being the famous actor he once was. Due to this torment, he struggles to keep himself together and imagines having supernatural powers. Finally making it through his preview shows with Lesley (Naomi Watts), Mike (Edward Norton) and his girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) it is time for the opening night and to prove his biggest critic wrong.

Overall this movie is beautiful and is a thought provoking piece. The cinematography and editing is wonderful and shows a lovely flow from each scene. Michael Keaton's performance is brilliant and is the glue to this film, he is definitely deserving of his Oscar nomination and could have quite possibly snatched it for himself. Progressing through the film the relationship between Riggan and his daughter Sam (Emma Stone) is great to watch. It is also good to view from the perspective of an actor rather than from a critics, it shows that actors can be really effected by how a critic perceives them.
The movie's ending leaves you hanging on and is up to yourself to interpret what you see. I would definitely recommend that this is a movie worth watching.

This movie received an Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography.


Favourite Male Performance: Michael Keaton- Riggan Thomson

Favourite Female Performance: Emma Stone- Sam

Positive: Acting performances from all cast, Cinematography, Editing

Negative: None

 Overall Rating: 8/10

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