Aug. 27, 2014|USA|120 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Drama
Description: Riggan Thomson, a once-famous actor known for portraying the superhero Birdman in a 1990s film trilogy, struggles with his fading career. Haunted by the critical voice of Birdman, he often envisions himself performing extraordinary acts like levitation and telekinesis. Determined to reclaim his relevance, Riggan writes, directs, and stars in a Broadway adaptation of Raymond Carver’s short story *”What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.”* However, the Birdman voice pushes him to abandon the play and return to blockbuster films, claiming it’s part of his true identity.
Supported by his best friend and lawyer, Jake, Riggan assembles a cast that includes his girlfriend Laura and Broadway newcomer Lesley. His daughter Sam, a recovering addict, assists him as he tries to rebuild their relationship. When a co-star is injured, Riggan replaces him with Lesley’s boyfriend, Mike Shiner, a talented but erratic method actor. The play’s previews are chaotic due to Mike’s unprofessional behavior, leading to clashes between him and Riggan. Despite Jake’s encouragement to continue, Riggan faces criticism from Sam, who accuses him of pursuing the project out of vanity.
During the final preview, Riggan accidentally locks himself out of the theater in his underwear, forcing him to walk through Times Square and re-enter through the audience. The emotional strain of the play and his personal struggles leave him grappling with his identity and purpose. The film *Birdman* explores themes of ego, relevance, and the search for meaning in art and life.
Cast director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Cast actor: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Naomi Watts, Lindsay Duncan, Merritt Wever, Jeremy Shamos
Original name: Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)