Definitely going to see it again. There's also the best cinematography of the year in this film, I couldn't tell when a scene ended. Weird things about the name Birdman: The name … [–]MiamiFootball 17 points18 points19 points 6 years ago (0 children). From casting to acting to writing and production... it felt like I was watching a magic trick. [–]mrmustard12 36 points37 points38 points 6 years ago (0 children), weeeee want the rachel. It was also great juxtaposition with how warm and cozy and inviting the store was compared to the complete and utter depression Riggan is experiencing at the time. It ALL blends back and forth from what's real (and tactile) and what's real TO HIM when he's ALONE. He wants to prove to himself and the world that he is actually a great person. Essentially, he "gets over it" like his daughter had told him to. No one in my office has seen it yet and I need to discuss it with someone. Watch later. [–]ArtsyMNKid 57 points58 points59 points 6 years ago (5 children). These three characters are the only real antagonists in the entire film with the exception of birdman who couldnt have any actual effect on reality. Yea -- those movies are shitty if you have a certain perspective and the $50 million dollars of people who see "good" movies might or might not see Transformers alongside the $500 million dollars of other viewers but I didn't see the movie's bottom line in terms of what they actually wanted. I don't think there's anything ambiguous about whether he actually has superpowers. The whole film is built on itself. And while we're pondering all these questions... there are so many amazing things going on in this film. [–]changry_perdvert 118 points119 points120 points 6 years ago* (64 children). In the beginning it's Riggin's descent (in the public opinion, financially, emotionally) post- the Birdman trilogy. He sees his nose in the mirror, and he sees he has become Birdman, an outer success but lacking real depth...even with his "deeper" play eternally enduring audiences, he cannot love the people that really matter. There's even a quote about Riggan somewhere in the film that says that he confuses admiration with love, and i think he is not the only one. The meaning of life is in the mere transient moment[s] that follow one another until they don't. [–]UgliestBaby0 26 points27 points28 points 6 years ago (6 children). In the end she truly witnesses that insanity in whatever form you wish to perceive. but Mike knows that she wouldn't spitefully do this because she's not a hack. I've seen it a few times already and will likely watch it again every chance I get. I loved when Keaton stole the scene back from Norton in the locker room, talking about his dad with that hint of a tear in his voice, only to say "SEE I CAN DO THAT SHIT TOO" and proceed to punch Norton in the face. Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. What does Birdman mean? [–]susansink 5 points6 points7 points 6 years ago (1 child), If you want to read more about Raymond Carver and the layers to that reference, read this blog: https://susansink.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-birdman/, [–][deleted] 6 points7 points8 points 6 years ago (0 children). I kind of thought Tabitha leaving the theater in such a huff was because the show was so good she couldn't bring herself to write the kind of terrible review she promised, in part supported by the people discussing how great the first act was. In the play, the abusive boyfriend also tries to kill the girl as an act of love. I am enjoying the possibility of all the different scenarios. I got the sense that he was upset that folks are more willing to see general superhero/action movies rather than movies that he would consider more substantive. There is no payoff because that relationship's not about Keaton's selfish character, so it no longer matters (in his mind, etc). He complains to his wife (or daughter) that he doesn't even sleep because he is so consumed by this play. [–]TROLO_ 163 points164 points165 points 6 years ago (7 children). I feel like the movie rejected the ambiguity interpretation by that point and had clearly said that the powers weren't real. This is a metaphor for Michael Keaton who escapes the trap of Batman and finally is remembered for a great role, Birdman... Superrealism, as the critic stated, and meta as fuck! Roland Barthes is well known for his big idea of the Death of the Author. I think they referenced this in the movie as well -- when Riggan and his producer are talking about adding Norton's character to the play, Riggan says "Isn't he involved in--?" Riggan finally had everything he wanted. If Birdman doesn't take the Academy Award for Best Score, I'll eat several hats. The bottom line i think, about the questions pondered about it, are that it's just that kind of movie, a surreal one, there aren't definite answers for what we see as definite questions. Thematically, it's basically Death of a Salesman for actors, not the common man, without the tragic ending. Does Keaton have super powers? [–]Xamnam 24 points25 points26 points 6 years ago (0 children). Despite acting like a fool, I think she made him a twitter because she feels for her Dad and wants him to know he matters to her and is important to her and that's her way of saying it. We watch the lives of celebrities and wish that we, too, can be like that. Example sentences containing Birdman Agree with others that the falling flame we see in the sky, twice, is Icarus, not a comet. Find out what connects these two synonyms. It cuts from birdman saying "Give the people what they want" to the lesbian kiss. I think you have to look at the point in the story where Riggan is on top the building after a heavy night of drinking and thinking about jumping. [–]Not_ChrisHansen 71 points72 points73 points 6 years ago (3 children), Okay, call me crazy but I swear in the opening titles, when it said "Birdman" it spelled out Amour in the diagonal letters. Then the couple and there kids come up and ask Keaton "birdman" to take a picture with them. The anti-criticism (as an art form, and its outsize influence on art today) meta diatribe in both was not subtle but it sure was enjoyable. The totally intact nose I think was also meant to highlight this. Studios should pass up that sweet sweet foreign market for niche, cosy, dialogue-driven movies that might only be relevant to a few million people rather than 100+ million people who can enjoy the shoot em up bang bang? For a short period of time, we see what many people want to see: explosions and guns and a superhero. At the very least it'll continue the drum theme. I felt it and the film began to breathe by itself, and the characters began to grow. This is simply meant to represent Riggan Thompson letting go of his ego and the burden of his past, his Birdman alter ego. The film suggests that critics still have a pretentious black/white view of "Hollywood" vs "theatre". Such as the drum band, the transformer, iron man, statue of liberty and spiderman on stage. [–]JimSFV 133 points134 points135 points 6 years ago (7 children). Meaning, this is the film trying to demonstrate that there are two parts to Riggan - the side that thinks financial success is important, represented by Birdman, and the that believes in proving himself critically. [–]Sybertron 46 points47 points48 points 6 years ago (0 children). It's not the first or only movie to attempt this, but it's certainly unique in so many ways. [–]Spicy_food 11 points12 points13 points 6 years ago (0 children). What to make of the opening minutes where Riggan's daughter is skypeing him about not finding the flowers he wants her to buy: "What do they smell like?" If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. He wants his daughter to love him. Now that you've had more time to digest it, maybe you've realized more, or alternatively, maybe you'll recall less. [–]MiamiFootball 20 points21 points22 points 6 years ago (7 children). Near the end, when the camera looks down the narrow hallway - the carpet pattern was similar to the one in The Shining. He's not really any more insightful than, say, a friend of mine who watches a lot of movies. The score worked well to build tension, and I really loved Edward Norton, along with the depth of his character's struggles with authenticity and how his narcissism puts him out of touch with those around him. Keaton, Stone, and Norton are all going to get recognition for this, and rightfully so. this can definitely almost be read as satire. Also, he makes a cute joke that he can't smell the flowers now because purple lilacs represent a first love, and are also connected with death and funerals. It should be noted here that he was NOT in despair in the hospital, NOR was he having flying fantasies anymore. Again echoes of "Synecdoche"); and especially Mike saying (twice, if I recall correctly) that what is inside the theater is the only real truth, and everything outside is not. You almost assume everyone else sees the world the same way because you see it that way. Those are just the two things I got from it and of course it could be a lot more things than those. Tabitha's review is also very unreal, she says "literal blood is shed by both the performers and audience. [–]Itsapocalypse 204 points205 points206 points 6 years ago (10 children), I know I'm late to posting, but did anyone notice how much of the lines of his imagining of the play rub parallel with his actual life? Him jumping out of the window and his daughter smiling was a metaphor for people, especially his daughter, seeing what he is capable of after his last performance. What's also interesting about the monologue with Sam is that it is the first time she shares a scene with Riggan where the camera has her in direct focus, rather than in the background or something (the skype call kind of doesn't count, she wasn't actually there). He is driven to do it not by his failure to reach fame, but his distance from his loved ones (wife, daughter, girlfriend). It's incredibly ambiguous, but that ambiguity only seals the deal. >!Twas the butler!<. Rather, it is essential to the narrative because it reflects the realities of whatever characters–even those we see for a few seconds, like a certain cab driver–it may be following at the time; for example, many backstage scenes are written as if they are part of a play, and their showy natures highlight the ways that Riggan might write about his life if he wrote the script. I know this is not fully fleshed out and may be sort of rambling, but I wanted to put it out there and see what you guys think! If everything after him jumping off the building was a fantasy, it seems weird his fantasy would include the taxi driver explanation to his flying. With the superb review in the Times, Riggan escapes this trap of only being remembered as Birdman, and is once again remembered for another amazing role. There are jellyfish in Malibu actually. Then there's the superpowers but I definitely think that was just in his head. -Some of my favorite visuals in the film: an overhead of the stage as the camera moves away from Shiner and Sam, a shot of Christmas lights in a liquor store, and the entire “flying around the city” sequence. Pick your own label. And then there are incredibly ambitious and metaphorical moments in the movie that give it an extra flavor, on top of it already being a great exercise in art, as well as a great score (pounding drums) Looks like it might be back to back Best Directing Academy Award wins for Hispanic directors. RATHER "on the nose" as far as his reputation in the business (at least regarding arrogance and presumption toward others both in front of and behind the camera, if not of his personal life (to my knowledge, anyway)) of which he cannot be unaware. [–]Slamchops 205 points206 points207 points 6 years ago (13 children). [–]botanyisfun 6 points7 points8 points 6 years ago (0 children). The new found Riggan who is the new Birdman. If she understand that there is literal pain in the play, there is no way that it could run every night. [–]MagicalTransGirl 58 points59 points60 points 6 years ago (3 children). And he finally understood the significance between love and admiration. I liked the running gag of punching Ed Norton in the face now that I think about it. I'm a little confused by what you truly think happened and what you mean by his pre-post-mortum imagination. [–][deleted] 145 points146 points147 points 6 years ago (6 children). I just watched it, and know I'm a little late to the party. Because you said you do believe he jumped out and died at the end, so their moment between them is an honest moment. I also found it particularly interesting how they presented the schizophrenic symptoms in a way that was not alarming. In Biutiful he certainly lacked subtly. [–]Atroxa 44 points45 points46 points 6 years ago (1 child). Birdman tells him what people want is action, violence, death and destruction- and isn't that what he does when he shoots himself in front of a live audience? DiscussionOfficial Discussion: Birdman [SPOILERS] (self.movies), submitted 6 years ago by mi-16evilRobert Zemeckis' Paddington 3[M]. [–]mick_jaggers_penis 168 points169 points170 points 6 years ago (3 children). I think she is actually seeing him in the sky metaphorically. His powers are all in his head--his power is his self-destructive ego. He's never been on broadway and he's used to hollywood, sure, but is it deeper than that? Although Birdman is called a black comedy, ... And, to Riggin (played by Michael Keaton), real artists ask themselves questions about the meaning … Keaton questions nortons intentions. Sam has been empathizing more and more with her father throughout the movie. The entire stage production is him sorting through his life, in a flashing-before-your-eyes kind of way that is familiar to him as an actor. These parallels are actually a good argument for the theory that Riggan is dead the moment the movie begins, hence the quick shot of jellyfish on the beach at the beginning of the film. Now I haven't analyzed this into the film, and I'm sure someone could provide a better explanation. I loved that Keaton's character was worried about being overshadowed by George Clooney on that bumpy plane ride story... And Clooney also played Batman. How to use birdman in a sentence. He was hearing voices, he was hallucinating, he wasn't sleeping. [–]primus202 8 points9 points10 points 6 years ago (0 children). If that is "true" (a big "if" since it only expresses Mike's subjective reality), that seems to argue in favor of the hospital scene being a dream / fantasy. To me, I think the reason he shot off his nose was destroying his "beak" both literally and metaphorically. She had a monologue where she told him that he clearly wants to feel relevant again but he ignores a whole world of people who are also trying to do the same thing. I don't think I agree with that though, but it's a very interesting take. He was set up as the primary antagonist/rival and feels almost schedule-conflicted out of the movie, to be replaced by the critic in the structure of the conflict with little to no hand-off. He goes off talking about how because he was such a good stage actor he could guarantee good reviews for the play because he "owned this town". Quite a surprise to see Ed Norton being willing to play this character. Birdman is a cocky asshole throughout - ie, acts like at least one kind of stereotypical superhero - until the hospital scene, when he is doing that most non-superhero and most banally human of things: shitting.