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Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Drama · Comedy · 2014

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.

Movie details

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

“How did we end up here?”

2014 Drama · Comedy 2h 0m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.4 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Written by

Nicolás Giacobone · Armando Bo · Alejandro G. Iñárritu · Alexander Dinelaris

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton

Riggan

Emma Stone

Emma Stone

Sam

Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis

Jake

Edward Norton

Edward Norton

Mike

Andrea Riseborough

Andrea Riseborough

Laura

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts

Lesley

Amy Ryan

Amy Ryan

Sylvia

Court is in session

Put Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Sentimental Softie

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.