Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production. Actor Riggan Thomson is most famous for his movie role from over twenty y…
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production. Actor Riggan Thomson is most famous for his movie role from over twenty years ago of the comic book superhero Birdman in the blockbuster movie of the same name and its two equally popular sequels. His association with the role took over his life, where Birdman is more renowned than "Riggan Thomson" the actor. Now past middle age, Riggan is trying to establish himself as a true artist by writing, directing, starring in and co-producing with his best friend Jake what is his Broadway debut, an adaptation of Raymond Carver's story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. He is staking his name, what little artistic reputation that comes with that name and his life savings on the project, and as such will do anything needed to make the play a success. As he and Jake go through the process of the previews toward opening night, Riggan runs into several issues: needing to find a replacement for the integral supporting male role the night before the first preview; hiring the talented Broadway name, Mike Shiner, for that role, Mike who ends up being difficult to work with and who may end up overshadowing Riggan in the play; having to deal potentially with a lawsuit based on one of his actions to ensure success; needing to be there for his daughter, Sam, who he has hired to be his production assistant and who has just come out of drug rehab; and pleasing the New York Times critic, Tabitha Dickinson, who wants to use any excuse to give the play a scathing review which in turn would close the show after the opening night performance. But Riggan's biggest problem may be his own insecurities, which are manifested by him constantly hearing what he believes to be the truth from the voice of his Birdman character, who he often battles both internally and externally. —Huggo Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star. As opening night approaches, a cast mate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife. —Jwelch5742 Decades ago, former Hollywood actor Riggan Thomson tasted fame as the blockbuster superhero Birdman. Nowadays, the washed-up star wants to reinvent his career and leave his mark on cinema history. To bounce back, Riggan attempts to write, direct, and star in his debut Broadway production: an ambitious adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Determined to make it work, Riggan gives his all to overcome obstacle after obstacle, including pretentious co-stars, malicious critics, and the exhausting effect of turbulent family drama. And as if that weren't enough, Riggan must escape the shadow of his bizarre, iconic alter-ego at all costs. With his sanity at stake, is Riggan Thomson destined for glory? —Nick Riganas
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Comedy,Drama
Film Details
A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production. Actor Riggan Thomson is most famous for his movie role from over twenty years ago of the comic book superhero Birdman in the blockbuster movie of the same name and its two equally popular sequels. His association with the role took over his life, where Birdman is more renowned than "Riggan Thomson" the actor.
Now past middle age, Riggan is trying to establish himself as a true artist by writing, directing, starring in and co-producing with his best friend Jake what is his Broadway debut, an adaptation of Raymond Carver's story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. He is staking his name, what little artistic reputation that comes with that name and his life savings on the project, and as such will do anything needed to make the play a success. As he and Jake go through the process of the previews toward opening night, Riggan runs into several issues: needing to find a replacement for the integral supporting male role the night before the first preview; hiring the talented Broadway name, Mike Shiner, for that role, Mike who ends up being difficult to work with and who may end up overshadowing Riggan in the play; having to deal potentially with a lawsuit based on one of his actions to ensure success; needing to be there for his daughter, Sam, who he has hired to be his production assistant and who has just come out of drug rehab; and pleasing the New York Times critic, Tabitha Dickinson, who wants to use any excuse to give the play a scathing review which in turn would close the show after the opening night performance.
But Riggan's biggest problem may be his own insecurities, which are manifested by him constantly hearing what he believes to be the truth from the voice of his Birdman character, who he often battles both internally and externally. —Huggo Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's risky, but he hopes that his creative gamble will prove that he's a real artist and not just a washed-up movie star.
As opening night approaches, a cast mate is injured, forcing Riggan to hire an actor who is guaranteed to shake things up. Meanwhile, Riggan must deal with his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife. —Jwelch5742 Decades ago, former Hollywood actor Riggan Thomson tasted fame as the blockbuster superhero Birdman.
Nowadays, the washed-up star wants to reinvent his career and leave his mark on cinema history. To bounce back, Riggan attempts to write, direct, and star in his debut Broadway production: an ambitious adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story, What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Determined to make it work, Riggan gives his all to overcome obstacle after obstacle, including pretentious co-stars, malicious critics, and the exhausting effect of turbulent family drama.
And as if that weren't enough, Riggan must escape the shadow of his bizarre, iconic alter-ego at all costs. With his sanity at stake, is Riggan Thomson destined for glory? —Nick Riganas.