Birdman (2014)
2014
R
119 Minutes
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,...
User Review
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Continuing my series of tributes to the Academy Awards, I decided to log 2015's Best Picture winner Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). A film that I didn't appreciate upon my first watch. But after seeing it multiple times, I can finally say that my opinion has changed.
I wasn't able to decipher everything when I first watched it, so I saw it again twice, and everytime I watch it, it's totally a different experience. No, Michael Keaton does not possess any superpowers. No, Birdman would not take over the world. But it was these surreal shots, extensive usage of metaphors and tropes, and artistic quality, altogether with incredible performances from its actors that made me love Birdman.
I mean everything has a hidden meaning here. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki utilize the world of these characters with such realism: they have problems in life, career and family. But moreover, it's a film that satirizes subjects of consumerism and the film industry, which I believe is brilliant.
In the end, Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) reminded me on why I love movies: looking back on 2015's Oscar season, it was one of the first movies that triggered me, but in turn, made myself interested on independent quality films and the Academy awards.1 member likes this review.
