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Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

  • 2014
  • 14A
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
656K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,305
475
Edward Norton, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Ryan, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, and Andrea Riseborough in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.
Play trailer2:53
45 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyDrama

A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.

  • Director
    • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
  • Writers
    • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Nicolás Giacobone
    • Alexander Dinelaris
  • Stars
    • Michael Keaton
    • Zach Galifianakis
    • Edward Norton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    656K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,305
    475
    • Director
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Writers
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
      • Nicolás Giacobone
      • Alexander Dinelaris
    • Stars
      • Michael Keaton
      • Zach Galifianakis
      • Edward Norton
    • 1.5KUser reviews
    • 633Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 Oscars
      • 192 wins & 293 nominations total

    Videos45

    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:53
    Watch International Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Watch Official Trailer
    Clip
    Clip 1:20
    Watch Clip
    Birdman
    Clip 1:26
    Watch Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:25
    Watch Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:08
    Watch Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:38
    Watch Birdman
    Birdman: Relevant
    Clip 1:36
    Watch Birdman: Relevant
    Birdman: Ask Me If He Sells Tickets
    Clip 1:08
    Watch Birdman: Ask Me If He Sells Tickets
    Birdman: Does She Talk?
    Clip 1:58
    Watch Birdman: Does She Talk?
    Birdman: Foreign Press
    Clip 1:38
    Watch Birdman: Foreign Press
    Birdman: Does She Talk? (UK)
    Clip 1:58
    Watch Birdman: Does She Talk? (UK)

    Photos266

    Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Emma Stone in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Michael Keaton and Amy Ryan in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Naomi Watts in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Edward Norton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Zach Galifianakis in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Edward Norton and Emma Stone in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Michael Keaton and Edward Norton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Edward Norton and Emma Stone in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Michael Keaton and Amy Ryan in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
    Michael Keaton and Edward Norton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Keaton
    Michael Keaton
    • Riggan
    Zach Galifianakis
    Zach Galifianakis
    • Jake
    Edward Norton
    Edward Norton
    • Mike
    Andrea Riseborough
    Andrea Riseborough
    • Laura
    Emma Stone
    Emma Stone
    • Sam
    Kenny Chin
    Kenny Chin
    • Korean Grocer
    Jamahl Garrison-Lowe
    • Stagehand (Daniel)
    Naomi Watts
    Naomi Watts
    • Lesley
    Jeremy Shamos
    Jeremy Shamos
    • Ralph
    Katherine O'Sullivan
    Katherine O'Sullivan
    • Costume Assistant
    Damian Young
    Damian Young
    • Gabriel
    Keenan Shimizu
    • Han
    Akira Ito
    • Translator
    Natalie Gold
    Natalie Gold
    • Clara
    Merritt Wever
    Merritt Wever
    • Annie
    Michael Siberry
    Michael Siberry
    • Larry
    Clark Middleton
    Clark Middleton
    • Sydney
    Amy Ryan
    Amy Ryan
    • Sylvia
    • Director
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Writers
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
      • Nicolás Giacobone
      • Alexander Dinelaris
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Because the movie was carefully rehearsed and shot in sequence, editing took only two weeks.
    • Goofs
      When Riggan goes back to the theater after a drunk night out, right after he's touching ground beneath his feet again, there can a couple be seen walking from the left side of the frame to the right, away from the camera (we can only see them from behind). When Riggan passes the couple the right man can be seen making a very sudden quick (and very unnatural looking) hand-movement in direction to Riggan's back. This movement might have been necessary to detach the cables from Michael Keaton's back that he needed to be attached to for the flying scene.
    • Quotes

      Mike Shiner: Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige.

    • Crazy credits
      Begin and end credits are presented in a peculiar style with the rhythm of the drums
    • Alternate versions
      Sundance TV recently released an edited version which removes the swearing and crops the scene featuring Edward Norton's butt so it is not shown.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Zach Galifianakis/Casey Wilson/Andrew Orvedahl (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Birdman Blind Melody
      Composed by Joan Valent

    User reviews1.5K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    audacious concept
    Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is famous for his role as comic book superhero Birdman. He is trying to revive his waning career with his first Broadway show that he wrote and directing with his friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis). His daughter Sam (Emma Stone) works as his grumpy assistant. Lesley (Naomi Watts) acts in the play. When a light falls on the lead, Lesley suggests headliner Mike Shiner (Edward Norton). Mike is a method actor who gets on Riggan's nerves.

    The concept of long continuous scenes is interesting. It adds to the level of difficulty. It is audacious and makes the audience sit up to pay attention. Although this movie does not take place in real time. It's not 2 hours of Riggan's life. There is one amazing scene with Keaton in his underwear. There is a daring in that it is outside in the real world. It adds a higher level of energy and that scene buzzes. The standout performance is Norton. He's got the most fun character. Everybody does a great job especially Galifianakis, Stone and of course Keaton.
    helpful•15
    7
    • SnoopyStyle
    • Jul 20, 2015

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    FAQ1

    • What does "The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance" mean? Why is it the movie's secondary title?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 14, 2014 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Fox Searchlight (United States)
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Birdman ou (Les vertus insoupçonnées de l'ignorance)
    • Filming locations
      • Rum House, Hotel Edison, 228W, 47th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(bar scenes)
    • Production companies
      • New Regency Productions
      • M Productions
      • Grisbi Productions, Le
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $18,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $42,340,598
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $424,397
      • Oct 19, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $103,215,094
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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