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IMDbPro

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

  • 20142014
  • RR
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
636K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
261
412
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
14 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.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
636K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
261
412
    • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
  • Writers
    • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Nicolás Giacobone
    • Alexander Dinelaris
  • Stars
    • Michael Keaton
    • Zach Galifianakis
    • Edward Norton
    • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
  • Writers
    • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Nicolás Giacobone
    • Alexander Dinelaris
  • Stars
    • Michael Keaton
    • Zach Galifianakis
    • Edward Norton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.4KUser reviews
    • 628Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 Oscars

    Videos14

    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
    Exclusive Featurette
    Featurette 3:24
    Watch Exclusive Featurette
    Birdman
    Featurette 2:15
    Watch Birdman
    Birdman
    Featurette 2:24
    Watch Birdman
    What Roles Has Emma Stone Turned Down?
    Full Episode 3:13
    Watch What Roles Has Emma Stone Turned Down?
    Which Roles Did Margot Robbie Turn Down?
    Video 2:57
    Watch Which Roles Did Margot Robbie Turn Down?

    Photos263

    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
      • 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 only took 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 reviews1.4K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Entertaining and Enthralling
    I saw the preview for this a few months ago and I must say that all I could think was, "This looks weird." After seeing it last night at the NY Film Festival (as the closing film of this year's festival), I came out more than pleasantly surprised. I don't know what type of film the preview was trying to make "Birdman" seem like, but it's not anything like I thought it would be.

    Inarritu, the editors, and the cinematographers incorporate a style of editing which would have been impressive without any plot whatsoever. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, almost to a fault. It's almost exhausting having to keep up with it all. The score by Sanchez is bare but works great for the film, and is aided by a few visual representations mixed in throughout. The cast is more than up to the challenge as well, especially Keaton and Norton who have a few scenes where they each get to flex their acting chops. The rest of the cast doesn't seem to get as much of a chance to show off, but does not make their performances any less impressive. Awards for the four mentioned by name here could be forthcoming.

    An entertaining film well worth the price of admission. Don't let the strange preview fool you.
    helpful•54
    52
    • socker1187
    • Oct 13, 2014

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    Photos

    FAQ3

    • 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)
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Fox Searchlight (United States)
      • Official site (Japan)
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Rum House, Hotel Edison, 228W, 47th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Regency Productions
      • M Productions
      • Grisbi Productions, Le
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 59 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat

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