Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
2014 · Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
The story
A fading actor best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected.
What it’s like
Restless, mobile camera work that appears to unfold in a single continuous take, drifting through cramped theatre corridors, backstage dressing rooms and rooftops under a grey-blue New York sky, with jazz drums pounding over the action and a few unexpected passages of silence. The visual texture is glossy and kinetic, lit by bare bulbs, neon signage and the sodium glow of Times Square, with the camera tracking characters so closely it feels like it is breathing down their necks. The vibe is anxious, sardonic and electric, a mix of backstage farce and existential unease with flickers of fantasy. Pacing is relentless and jittery, the emotional register swinging between sharp dark comedy and raw vulnerability as a fading actor, haunted by a superhero role he once played, tries to reclaim his relevance and his family. Intensity is moderate: there is brief stage-style violence and some profanity, mostly played for laughs or tension, with no gore, and the sexual content is brief and frank. Suited to late-night viewing alone or a restless weekend, and to people who enjoy showbiz satire, midlife self-examination and dazzling technical showmanship.
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