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IMDbPro

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

  • 20142014
  • RR
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
624K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,319
4
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
624K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,319
4
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
    • Writers
      • Alejandro G. Iñárritu
      • Nicolás Giacobone
      • Alexander Dinelaris
    • Stars
      • Michael Keaton
      • Zach Galifianakis
      • Edward Norton
    Top credits
    • Director
      • 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
    • Won 4 Oscars
      • 193 wins & 292 nominations total

    Videos14

    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:53
    International Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Official Trailer
    Clip
    Clip 1:20
    Clip
    Birdman
    Clip 1:26
    Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:25
    Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:08
    Birdman
    Birdman
    Clip 1:38
    Birdman
    Exclusive Featurette
    Featurette 3:24
    Exclusive Featurette
    Birdman
    Featurette 2:15
    Birdman
    Birdman
    Featurette 2:24
    Birdman
    What Roles Has Emma Stone Turned Down?
    Full Episode 3:13
    What Roles Has Emma Stone Turned Down?
    Which Roles Did Margot Robbie Turn Down?
    Video 2:57
    Which Roles Did Margot Robbie Turn Down?

    Photos226

    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
    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 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
    Top review
    9/10
    What is wrong with people?
    I have a tendency to check user reviews on IMDb before watching a film. I was surprised to see how divided people were for Birdman. Most of the reviews were either 9-10 stars or 1 star. This made me want to watch the film even more and by the time I finished watching it, my faith in people had decreased by a little bit.

    Birdman is brilliant! This is not just an opinion, I wouldn't even consider it as one of my favourite films, I didn't even give 10 stars. When I say it is brilliant, I don't mean that I liked it too much, I mean that every aspect of the film is masterfully dealt with. Sublime acting, excellent cinematography, interesting and unconventional directing and a wonderfully original score. OK there wasn't a fast-paced plot with lots of plot twists, but not every movie has to be like this. One of the reviewers who gave one star complained about the plot and suggested to the readers to go watch a Kubrick film instead. Well, Kubrick himself made movies with minimal plot which were nevertheless proved to be masterpieces (2001: A space Odyssey, Eyes Wide Shut). He once said: "A film is (or should be) more like music than fiction". Films are supposed to make us think and feel, like music does. You can make a good song by adding story-like lyrics and you can make a good song by adding no lyrics at all. The same applies to movies. There are plot-driven masterpieces and there are no-plot- driven masterpieces. Birdman is one of the latter.

    I don't want to spoil the film. I just want to say that I would highly recommend it for anyone, except people who only want to see pointless action and superhero films. Birdman will make you think, reflect on similar situations you might have experienced and discover the other side of actors and films. I can absolutely understand people not liking it. There is not a single film that appeals to everyone. What I cannot understand though is people calling it a bad movie.
    helpful•13
    4
    • theocharous_an
    • Dec 27, 2016

    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)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Fox Searchlight (United States)
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Birdman
    • 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
    • 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

    Related news

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