Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

On the surface, a once famous actor known for a cape crusader tries to stage a comeback by starring in a Broadway production. He battles nerves, ego, and a mounting sense that the theatre world has moved on without him. As previews begin, he wants to be seen as more than a celebrity and to repair damaged ties with teammates, rivals, and kin. Yet the plan to redeem his reputation collides with past resentments, a churning inner voice, and the relentless pressure of critics and fame. The personal drama threads through rehearsal rooms, creating a tense portrait of ambition under the bright lights. Behind the glossy image, his doubts spill into tense conversations with co stars and the theatre crew.

Directed by Alejandro G Iñárritu, Birdman grew from an original screenplay by Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolas Giacobone and Armando Bo. It is renowned for its apparent single continuous shot and for placing backstage drama at the heart of a Broadway story.

Birdman grossed roughly 103 million worldwide on a modest budget, making it a commercial success beyond festival screens. It resonated with mainstream audiences while preserving the sensibility that drew art house viewers to its bold blend of humor and psychology.

It earned nine Oscar nominations and won four, including Best Picture Best Director Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. The acclaim helped redefine the year's awards conversation and underscored the film's technical ambitions as well as its psychological depth. Critics saw it as a bold cinematic gamble that paid off.

Birdman sparked broad conversations about fame and artistic authenticity in the social media era. Its apparent continuous shot and backstage Broadway milieu made it a touchstone for debates about cinema as performance, influencing later films and theater discourse. The movie elevated Michael Keaton as a performer and cultural reference point.