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Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (stylized as BiRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED ViRTUE OF iGNORANCE)) is a 2014 American black comedy co-written, produced, and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. The film stars Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, and Amy Ryan. The film is scheduled to be released on October 17, 2014.

Synopsis

Washed-up actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), who became famous for playing an iconic superhero in the movies, decides to stage a comeback in a Broadway play. Pressures mount leading up to the play's opening night as Riggan battles his ego and tries to win back his family, at the same time re-establishing his career and finding himself in the process.

Cast

• Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson / Birdman
• Zach Galifianakis as Jake, the play's producer and Riggan's average best-friend-producer-lawyer. Trying to keep it all together, he has his work cut out for him on every level.
• Edward Norton as Mike Shiner, an arrogant and talented younger, more successful and even more self-absorbed, stage actor, whose ego clashes with Riggan's older, bruised ego. He doesn't shy away from the truth, quickly proving to be a destructive force, intent on undermining and usurp Riggan's confidence and control of the play, while sleeping with Lesley.
• Andrea Riseborough as Laura, an actress in the play, assuming the identity of her stage character, while forgetting her own and lost. She is Riggan's lover and co-star.
• Amy Ryan as Sylvia, Sam's mother and Riggan's ex-wife. She is thoughtful, understanding, reflective, and the voice of reason.
• Emma Stone as Sam Thomson, Riggan's alienated, resentful, belligerent, but vulnerable daughter and personal assistant, recently released from rehab.
• Naomi Watts as Lesley, a neurotic and anxious actress in the play, who is terrified about her Broadway debut as the play's lead actress. She is Mike's lover.
• Merritt Wever as Annie
• Lindsay Duncan as Tabitha, a poisonous, vindictive New York Times theater critic.
• Natalie Gold as Clara
• Jeremy Shamos as Ralph
• Benjamin Kanes as Young Birdman
• Frank Ridley as Mr. Roth

Production

As of April 2014, post-production was expected to be completed by late May or early June.

Filming

Filming commenced in March 2013 in New York City. According to the film's cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, the camerawork and editing of Birdman were manipulated to give the appearance that the film is one continuous long take.

Release

On July 10, 2014, it was announced that Birdman had been selected as the opening film of the 71st Venice International Film Festival and would be in competition for the Golden Lion. The film is scheduled for an October 17, 2014 release in the United States.

Reception

Critical response

The film review website Metacritic surveyed 13 critics and assessed 11 reviews as positive and two as mixed, with none being negative. It gave an aggregate score of 86 out of 100, which it said indicated "universal acclaim". The similar website Rotten Tomatoes surveyed 28 critics and, categorizing the reviews as positive or negative, assessed 26 as positive and two as negative. Of the 28 reviews, it determined an average rating of 8 out of 10. It gave the film a score of 93% and summarized the critical 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."

Peter Debruge of Variety magazine praised the film, describing it as "a self aware showbiz satire" and calling it "a triumph on every creative level". Robbie Collin of The Telegraph gave the film 5/5. Collin has particular praise for the use of long takes by Emmanuel Lubezki, director of photography.

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Awards

References

1. "La Biennale di Venezia - 27 August". Retrieved August 17, 2014.
2. "La Biennale di Venezia - Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) [Opening Film]". Retrieved August 25, 2014.
3. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/24/us-filmfestival-venice-idUSKBN0FT1MC20140724
4. "Andrea Riseborough Talks SHADOW DANCER, BIRDMAN, and More". Collider. November 20, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
5. Fleming Jr, Mike (March 6, 2013). "Edward Norton Joins Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Ensemble Comedy 'Birdman'". Retrieved May 31, 2014.
6. ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (October 11, 2014). "NYFF 2014: Birdman closes the fest, but Edward Snowden supplies a real finale". Retrieved October 11, 2014.
7. ^ Killoran, Ellen (October 11, 2014). "'Birdman' Movie Review: Michael Keaton Fights, Takes Flight In Alejandro Iñárritu's Soaring Meditation On Fame". Retrieved October 11, 2014.
8. ^ Zeitchick, Steven (October 10, 2014). "In 'Birdman,' Alejandro G. Inarritu takes his doubts and lets them fly". Retrieved October 10, 2014.
9. Hernandez, Brian. "Edward Norton Really Compared His New 'Birdman' Film to 'Gravity'".
10. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (April 11, 2014). "Fox Searchlight Sets Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's 'Birdman' For October 17 Bow". deadline.com. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
11. "Batman's hair... won't return: Michael Keaton reveals his thinning pate on set of new film Birdman". dailymail.co.uk. April 2, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
12. "Is Birdman a one-shot magic trick that could win Emmanuel Lubezki his second Oscar in a row?". June 21, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
13. "Birdman to hatch on opening night of Venice film festival". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
14. "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtues of Ignorance) Reviews". metacritic.com. Metacritic. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
15. "Birdman". rottentomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
16. Peter Debruge (August 27, 2014). "Venice Film Review: 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 27, 2014.
17. Birdman, review: 'spectacular, star-powered'
18. http://www.comingsoon.it/news/?source=cinema&key=35861

External links

• Birdman at IMDb
• Birdman at Box Office Mojo
• Birdman at Rotten Tomatoes
• Please use a more specific Metacritic template.

• 2014 films
• 2010s comedy-drama films
• American films
• American black comedy films
• Films directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
• Films shot in New York City
• Fox Searchlight Pictures films
• Regency Enterprises films
• 20th Century Fox films
• Films set in New York City
• Worldview Entertainment films