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Complaining
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* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Considering nearly everyone in this movie is a melodramatic, self-centered jerk, it can be really hard to care about what happens.
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Neither are exclusively lesbian
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** [[spoiler:Lesley and Laura]]'s [[GirlOnGirlIsHot lesbian kiss]] scene, which doesn't have any impact on the plot and is never mentioned again afterwards, and [[spoiler:Laura]] doesn't even get called out for [[spoiler:cheating on Riggan]].
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** [[spoiler:Lesley and Laura]]'s [[GirlOnGirlIsHot lesbian gay kiss]] scene, which doesn't have any impact on the plot and is never mentioned again afterwards, and [[spoiler:Laura]] doesn't even get called out for [[spoiler:cheating on Riggan]].
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Nothing to do with hindsight
Deleted line(s) 30 (click to see context) :
** At one point, Sam delivers a ReasonsYouSuckSpeech to Riggan, claiming he doesn't care about the rest of the world, using, among other examples, the fact that he doesn't have a Website/{{Facebook}} page as evidence. It's basically a more effective version of a speech [[ComicBook/CivilWar Sally Floyd tried on Captain America]], which is doubly hilarious when you remember Iñárritu's less than welcoming opinions of superheroes (at least on film).
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Updating Link
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*** Aditionally, Keaton's casting in a ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' movie puts his estranged relationship with his daughter--whose actress, Creator/EmmaStone, played Gwen Stacy in the now-defunct ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''--in an amusing new light, considering that both thespians are now separated by different incarnations of ''Spider-Man'' adaptations.
to:
*** Aditionally, Keaton's casting in a ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' movie puts his estranged relationship with his daughter--whose actress, Creator/EmmaStone, played Gwen Stacy in the now-defunct ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''--in an amusing new light, considering that both thespians are now separated by different incarnations of ''Spider-Man'' adaptations.
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** At one point, Sam delivers a ReasonsYouSuckSpeech to Riggan, claiming he doesn't care about the rest of the world, using, among other examples, the fact that he doesn't have a Website/{{Facebook}} page as evidence. It's basically a more effective version of a speech [[Comicbook/CivilWar Sally Floyd tried on Captain America]], which is doubly hilarious when you remember Iñárritu's less than welcoming opinions of superheroes (at least on film).
to:
** At one point, Sam delivers a ReasonsYouSuckSpeech to Riggan, claiming he doesn't care about the rest of the world, using, among other examples, the fact that he doesn't have a Website/{{Facebook}} page as evidence. It's basically a more effective version of a speech [[Comicbook/CivilWar [[ComicBook/CivilWar Sally Floyd tried on Captain America]], which is doubly hilarious when you remember Iñárritu's less than welcoming opinions of superheroes (at least on film).
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* HarsherInHindsight: Mike attempting to rape his costar onstage and suffering no consequences is bad enough, but it looks even worse in a story about showbiz released a few years before the Me Too scandals exposed widespread sexual abuse across Hollywood.
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* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Given he's one of the largest roles and best characters in the movie, a few viewers have complained about Mike becoming OutOfFocus in the final act.
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* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Much of the characters come off as this for doing nothing about Lesley's near-rape, particularly Mike who's treated as an just an overly extreme actor but not an abusive danger to her and the crew.
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* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Considering nearly everyone in this movie is a melodramatic, self-centred jerk, it can be really hard to care about what happens.
to:
* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Considering nearly everyone in this movie is a melodramatic, self-centred self-centered jerk, it can be really hard to care about what happens.
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** Even Tabitha makes a few points in her criticism that Riggan is mostly just putting on his play in a desperate attempt to revive his floundering career and be seen [[IAmNotSpock as more than just Birdman]]. While she's obviously wrong in declaring that she'll give it a scathing review purely on principle rather than the play's own merits, her pointing out that Riggan and actors like him try to use theater to [[TomHanksSyndrome reinvent themselves as "serious" actors]] does ring true.
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** Even Tabitha makes a few good points in her criticism that Riggan is mostly just putting on his play in a desperate attempt to revive his floundering career and be seen [[IAmNotSpock as more than just Birdman]]. While she's obviously wrong in declaring that she'll give it a scathing review purely on principle rather than the play's own merits, her pointing out that Riggan and actors like him try to use theater to [[TomHanksSyndrome reinvent themselves as "serious" actors]] does ring true.
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** Even Tabitha makes a few points in her criticism that Riggan is mostly just putting on his play in a desperate attempt to revive his floundering career and be seen [[ImNotSpock as more than just Birdman]]. While she's obviously wrong in declaring that she'll give it a scathing review purely on principle rather than the play's own merits, her pointing out that Riggan and actors like him try to use theater to [[TomHanksEffect reinvent themselves as "serious" actors]] does ring true.
to:
** Even Tabitha makes a few points in her criticism that Riggan is mostly just putting on his play in a desperate attempt to revive his floundering career and be seen [[ImNotSpock [[IAmNotSpock as more than just Birdman]]. While she's obviously wrong in declaring that she'll give it a scathing review purely on principle rather than the play's own merits, her pointing out that Riggan and actors like him try to use theater to [[TomHanksEffect [[TomHanksSyndrome reinvent themselves as "serious" actors]] does ring true.
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Added DiffLines:
** Even Tabitha makes a few points in her criticism that Riggan is mostly just putting on his play in a desperate attempt to revive his floundering career and be seen [[ImNotSpock as more than just Birdman]]. While she's obviously wrong in declaring that she'll give it a scathing review purely on principle rather than the play's own merits, her pointing out that Riggan and actors like him try to use theater to [[TomHanksEffect reinvent themselves as "serious" actors]] does ring true.
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*** And finally, to send it all home, it has been confirmed that Keaton [[https://www.ign.com/articles/michael-keaton-batman-return-the-flash-confirmed will reprise his role]] as Batman in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse film ''Film/{{The Flash|2023}}''.
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*** And finally, to send it all home, it has been confirmed that Keaton [[https://www.ign.com/articles/michael-keaton-batman-return-the-flash-confirmed will reprise ''did'' end up reprising his role]] role as Batman in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse film ''Film/{{The Flash|2023}}''.Flash|2023}}'', with his presence being even ''more'' hyped up in marketing materials than the ''titular character''.
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Not YMMV, but also a Zero Context Example so I can't move this to the main page.
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* TrueArtIsAngsty: The movie depicts how the world of Broadway is embracing this trope. Riggan's extreme method acting is the icing on the cake.
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On second thought maybe that part is okay.
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** Many fans feel that Creator/MichaelKeaton should've won for Best Actor at the 2015 Oscars over Creator/EddieRedmayne for ''Film/TheTheoryOfEverything''. Keaton swept the Critics' awards and was widely regarded as the favorite and frontrunner, until Redmayne beat him at both the Screen Actors Guild and UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}}s. The fact that Redmayne's film is seen by many as forgettable OscarBait while ''Birdman'' is viewed as a classic doesn't help matters.
to:
** Many fans feel that Creator/MichaelKeaton should've won for Best Actor at the 2015 Oscars over Creator/EddieRedmayne for ''Film/TheTheoryOfEverything''. Keaton swept the Critics' awards and was widely regarded as the favorite and frontrunner, until Redmayne beat him at both the Screen Actors Guild and UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}}s. The fact that Redmayne's film is seen by many as forgettable OscarBait while ''Birdman'' is viewed as a classic doesn't help matters.matters, neither does Keaton's performance continuing to receive acclaim years later while Redmayne's is usually only brought up when people complain about his win.
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Rewriting to sound less biased and while Keaton's is still getting acclaim so is Redmanyne's though not to the same extent.
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** Most agree that Creator/MichaelKeaton should've won for Best Actor at the 2015 Oscars over Creator/EddieRedmayne for ''Film/TheTheoryOfEverything''. Keaton swept the Critics' awards and was widely regarded as the favorite and frontrunner, until Redmayne beat him at both the Screen Actors Guild and UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}}s. The fact that Redmayne's film is seen by many as forgettable OscarBait while ''Birdman'' is viewed as a classic doesn't help matters, neither does Keaton's performance continuing to receive acclaim years later while Redmayne's is usually only brought up when people complain about his win.
to:
** Most agree Many fans feel that Creator/MichaelKeaton should've won for Best Actor at the 2015 Oscars over Creator/EddieRedmayne for ''Film/TheTheoryOfEverything''. Keaton swept the Critics' awards and was widely regarded as the favorite and frontrunner, until Redmayne beat him at both the Screen Actors Guild and UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}}s. The fact that Redmayne's film is seen by many as forgettable OscarBait while ''Birdman'' is viewed as a classic doesn't help matters, neither does Keaton's performance continuing to receive acclaim years later while Redmayne's is usually only brought up when people complain about his win.matters.
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Mike sexually assaults his girlfriend onstage, and it's weird to have people theorizing that it was a 'fakeout' when that's what's shown on screen.
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** There are a lot of viewers who think Mike was actually attempting to rape Leslie on the stage in the bed due to her reaction, and those who think he was simply [[EnforcedMethodActing faking her out to give her that reaction]].
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Zero Context Example. Hiding it, as it might be valid.
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* SignatureScene: The scene where Riggan walks through Times Square in nothing but his underwear.
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** In Sam's ReasonsYouSuckSpeech, she rightly points out that Broadway is essentially a medium that is mostly financed and supported by rich white people, so he's really trying to cater to a super elite rather than actual people and what the majority of people are interested or care about.
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** In Sam's ReasonsYouSuckSpeech, TheReasonYouSuckSpeech, she rightly points out that Broadway is essentially a medium that is mostly financed and supported by rich white people, so he's really trying to cater to a super elite rather than actual people and what the majority of people are interested or care about.
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** In Sam's ReasonYouSuck speech, she rightly points out that Broadway is essentially a medium that is mostly financed and supported by rich white people, so he's really trying to cater to a super elite rather than actual people and what the majority of people are interested or care about.
to:
** In Sam's ReasonYouSuck speech, ReasonsYouSuckSpeech, she rightly points out that Broadway is essentially a medium that is mostly financed and supported by rich white people, so he's really trying to cater to a super elite rather than actual people and what the majority of people are interested or care about.
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* GeniusBonus: Of course, [[Creator/JorgeLuisBorges Borges's]] ''Labyrinths'' is the book Mike is reading while in the tanning booth. It's blatantly symbolic of him, Riggan, and the film's high art obsession along with the film's MagicalRealism elements.
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* GeniusBonus: Of course, [[Creator/JorgeLuisBorges Borges's]] Borges']] ''Labyrinths'' is the book Mike is reading while in the tanning booth. It's blatantly symbolic of him, Riggan, and the film's high art obsession along with the film's MagicalRealism elements.
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** At one point, Sam delivers a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Riggan, claiming he doesn't care about the rest of the world, using, among other examples, the fact that he doesn't have a Website/{{Facebook}} page as evidence. It's basically a more effective version of a speech [[Comicbook/CivilWar Sally Floyd tried on Captain America]], which is doubly hilarious when you remember Iñárritu's less than welcoming opinions of superheroes (at least on film).
to:
** At one point, Sam delivers a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech ReasonsYouSuckSpeech to Riggan, claiming he doesn't care about the rest of the world, using, among other examples, the fact that he doesn't have a Website/{{Facebook}} page as evidence. It's basically a more effective version of a speech [[Comicbook/CivilWar Sally Floyd tried on Captain America]], which is doubly hilarious when you remember Iñárritu's less than welcoming opinions of superheroes (at least on film).
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None
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* StrawmanHasAPoint: Within the context of the movie they are presented as being wrong, but you can admit that the arguments are fairly decent.
** In Sam's ReasonYouSuck speech, she rightly points out that Broadway is essentially a medium that is mostly financed and supported by rich white people, so he's really trying to cater to a super elite rather than actual people and what the majority of people are interested or care about.
** Birdman in trying to convince Riggan to make "Birdman IV: The Phoenix Rises" points out that people already have miserable lives and that providing them with something that distracts them from this and makes them happy is better than [[TrueArtIsAngsty forcing them to confront their insecurities and disappointments]].
** In Sam's ReasonYouSuck speech, she rightly points out that Broadway is essentially a medium that is mostly financed and supported by rich white people, so he's really trying to cater to a super elite rather than actual people and what the majority of people are interested or care about.
** Birdman in trying to convince Riggan to make "Birdman IV: The Phoenix Rises" points out that people already have miserable lives and that providing them with something that distracts them from this and makes them happy is better than [[TrueArtIsAngsty forcing them to confront their insecurities and disappointments]].
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None
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* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Considering nearly everyone in this movie is a melodramatic, self-centreed jerk, it can be really hard to care about what happens.
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* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Considering nearly everyone in this movie is a melodramatic, self-centreed self-centred jerk, it can be really hard to care about what happens.
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* ViusualEffectsOfAwesome: The seamless blending of each shot to make it seem like the whole film was made in the space of a day is well-regarded here, to the point where the VFX sequence that comes when Riggan is off in his own world gets overlooked.
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* ViusualEffectsOfAwesome: SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: The seamless blending of each shot to make it seem like the whole film was made in the space of a day is well-regarded here, to the point where the VFX sequence that comes when Riggan is off in his own world gets overlooked.
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None
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* CatharsisFactor: Riggan's awesome TheReasonYouSuckSpeech [[TakeThatCritics to Tabitha]] counts as this both InUniverse, but also as a meta example for anyone, both as a viewer or professional whose had to deal with a pretentious critic like her.
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* CatharsisFactor: Riggan's awesome TheReasonYouSuckSpeech [[TakeThatCritics to Tabitha]] counts as this both InUniverse, but also as a meta example for anyone, anyone - both as a viewer or professional - whose had to deal with a pretentious critic like her.
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*** Finally, Keaton's casting in a ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' movie puts his estranged relationship with his daughter--whose actress, Creator/EmmaStone, played Gwen Stacy in the now-defunct ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''--in an amusing new light, considering that both thespians are now separated by different incarnations of ''Spider-Man'' adaptations.
to:
*** Finally, Aditionally, Keaton's casting in a ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' movie puts his estranged relationship with his daughter--whose actress, Creator/EmmaStone, played Gwen Stacy in the now-defunct ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''--in an amusing new light, considering that both thespians are now separated by different incarnations of ''Spider-Man'' adaptations.
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*** Having Zack Galifianakis co-star with Keaton gets one since he would later go on to play [[WesternAnimation/TheLEGOBatmanMovie a Joker]].
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* ViusualEffectsOfAwesome: The seamless blending of each shot to make it seem like the whole film was made in the space of a day is well-regarded here, to the point where the VFX sequence that comes when Riggan is off in his own world gets overlooked.
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None
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*** And finally, to send it all home, it has been confirmed that Keaton [[https://www.ign.com/articles/michael-keaton-batman-return-the-flash-confirmed will reprise his role]] as Batman in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse film ''[[Film/TheFlash2022 The Flash]]''.
to:
*** And finally, to send it all home, it has been confirmed that Keaton [[https://www.ign.com/articles/michael-keaton-batman-return-the-flash-confirmed will reprise his role]] as Batman in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse film ''[[Film/TheFlash2022 The Flash]]''.''Film/{{The Flash|2023}}''.
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None
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* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation:
** Riggan's Birdman persona. Is he a malevolent presence that wants to torment Riggan? Or a gruff voice of reason meant to help Riggan by telling him the truth and boosting his ego? Or is he somewhere in between? A figure providing a mental crutch that simultaneously traps Riggan in his nostalgia and helps him get through the stress of his TroubledProduction?
** There are a lot of viewers who think Mike was actually attempting to rape Leslie on the stage in the bed due to her reaction, and those who think he was simply [[EnforcedMethodActing faking her out to give her that reaction]].
** The audience on opening night can be subjected to this. When [[spoiler: they give the show a standing ovation after Riggan shoots himself]], do they actually know that [[spoiler: the suicide attempt was real]], or do they think it's AllPartOfTheShow? Given the many people in the theatre, [[TakeAThirdOption there's the very real possibility that some thought the former and some thought the latter]]. We don't get to see [[spoiler: the aftermath of Riggan's shooting]] ourselves, so it's debatable how realistic it looked to everyone in that audience, especially given the different views they'd have based on seating.
* AwardSnub:
** Although the film was nominated for nine UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s, tying ''Film/TheGrandBudapestHotel'' for the most nominations, it received no nomination for Film Editing, which is strange considering how it's one of the most distinctive aspects of the film's style.
** Most agree that Creator/MichaelKeaton should've won for Best Actor at the 2015 Oscars over Creator/EddieRedmayne for ''Film/TheTheoryOfEverything''. Keaton swept the Critics' awards and was widely regarded as the favorite and frontrunner, until Redmayne beat him at both the Screen Actors Guild and UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}}s. The fact that Redmayne's film is seen by many as forgettable OscarBait while ''Birdman'' is viewed as a classic doesn't help matters, neither does Keaton's performance continuing to receive acclaim years later while Redmayne's is usually only brought up when people complain about his win.
* BigLippedAlligatorMoment:
** [[spoiler:Lesley and Laura]]'s [[GirlOnGirlIsHot lesbian kiss]] scene, which doesn't have any impact on the plot and is never mentioned again afterwards, and [[spoiler:Laura]] doesn't even get called out for [[spoiler:cheating on Riggan]].
** There's also a quick background shot of two naked people walking around backstage, who may or may not be the above mentioned.
* CatharsisFactor: Riggan's awesome TheReasonYouSuckSpeech [[TakeThatCritics to Tabitha]] counts as this both InUniverse, but also as a meta example for anyone, both as a viewer or professional whose had to deal with a pretentious critic like her.
* CrossesTheLineTwice: The idea that the general public would be so enraptured by an actor [[spoiler: actually shooting himself onstage]] is both [[NightmareFuel nightmarish]] but also strangely comedic due to its sheer absurdity.
* GeniusBonus: Of course, [[Creator/JorgeLuisBorges Borges's]] ''Labyrinths'' is the book Mike is reading while in the tanning booth. It's blatantly symbolic of him, Riggan, and the film's high art obsession along with the film's MagicalRealism elements.
* HeartwarmingInHindsight: Given the entire movie is about Riggan trying to pull off a CareerResurrection, the fact that his actor Creator/MichaelKeaton had a real life one thanks to this film is rather sweet.
* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct:
** Despite losing the Oscar for Best Actor to Creator/EddieRedmayne, there's no denying that Michael Keaton delivers a stunning performance after over a decade of mediocre and secondary roles. His work here was so good, it completely reignited his career, and has caused film fanatics to continue decrying his Oscar loss years after the fact.
** While she was still seen as a strong actress beforehand, Creator/EmmaStone's work here wowed many and resulted in her first Oscar nomination.
* HilariousInHindsight:
** After this film reflecting Iñarritu's real life distaste for superhero movies with a special focus on the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, the actor playing the show's costumer went on to a prominent role in ''Series/JessicaJones2015''.
** So much regarding Creator/MichaelKeaton, which makes the metatextual aspects of the movie all the more relevant and hilarious.
*** The story is about [[RealitySubtext a former superhero actor, who has fallen out of the public eye for a while, trying to reinvent himself as a prestige actor]]. This movie marked the beginning of a CareerResurrection for Keaton.
*** An action sequence in the middle of the film has Birdman tell Riggan that once he's done with his play on Broadway, he should go back to doing superhero movies on the side. Keaton would take jobs from both Creator/MarvelStudios and Creator/DCFilms only a few years after ''Birdman'', on top of doing multiple high-profile roles that received critical acclaim.
*** On the subject of the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse (which this movie [[TakeThat alludes to in a pretty disparaging way]]), Michael Keaton being cast in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming'' makes his character's reluctance to return to superhero movies that much more ironic. Even better, Creator/RobertDowneyJr appears in the film when Riggan disparaged him and Iron Man.
*** Keaton being confirmed to play Vulture in that movie is a pretty obvious ActorAllusion to ''this'' movie, making the concept of the Birdman persona in its relation to promoting Riggan's CareerResurrection amusing. That in-movie, it says that they need to go back to doing another ''Birdman'' movie now that Riggan is in the limelight again, makes Keaton's decision to play Vulture outright hysterical.
*** During the famous naked Broadway walk scene, a person dressed in Spider-Man costume [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8CrX6OVMAA-VN2.jpg appears in the crowd]], making for some pretty amusing comments.
*** Finally, Keaton's casting in a ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' movie puts his estranged relationship with his daughter--whose actress, Creator/EmmaStone, played Gwen Stacy in the now-defunct ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''--in an amusing new light, considering that both thespians are now separated by different incarnations of ''Spider-Man'' adaptations.
*** Not only that, but in ''Homecoming'', he's also [[spoiler:the father of a ''different'' Spider-Man love interest, specifically Liz Allen]].
*** And finally, to send it all home, it has been confirmed that Keaton [[https://www.ign.com/articles/michael-keaton-batman-return-the-flash-confirmed will reprise his role]] as Batman in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse film ''[[Film/TheFlash2022 The Flash]]''.
** At one point, Sam delivers a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Riggan, claiming he doesn't care about the rest of the world, using, among other examples, the fact that he doesn't have a Website/{{Facebook}} page as evidence. It's basically a more effective version of a speech [[Comicbook/CivilWar Sally Floyd tried on Captain America]], which is doubly hilarious when you remember Iñárritu's less than welcoming opinions of superheroes (at least on film).
* HypeBacklash: Following its Oscar win for Best Picture, there was a slew of criticism that the movie's victory was more politically motivated due to its numerous {{Take That}}s at the Superhero genre and the director's own quite negative remarks about the genre.
* JerkassWoobie:
** Sam's not very nice, but when you consider that Riggan is her father, it's hard to blame her -- while it's clear he loves her, he's often too self-involved and unbalanced to be a good parent. She has to put up with his (and everyone else's) bullshit ''constantly'', and is often viewed as a nuisance at best by the others.
** Riggan is certainly a flawed individual. He thinks too highly of himself, doesn't realize how insulting he can be to those around him, was apparently a rather bad family man in his heyday, and if we're to believe him, he dropped a light on Ralph simply because he's bad actor. At the same time, he's so pathetically washed up nowadays that it's hard not to pity him. He's clearly putting everything he has into the show, only to have every kind of personal and professional problem pop up, including relationship problems with both his family and girlfriend, dealing with a major [[ThePrimaDonna Prima Donna]], repeatedly being publicly humiliated, and facing off against a critic who is dead set on destroying his show out of pure spite. Not to mention, whether he has powers or not, it's clear that Riggan is very far from mentally well, to the point that [[spoiler:he attempts suicide]].
* {{Narm}}: Lesley reveals that she's sleeping with Mike by saying "We share a vagina". This has caused a few viewers to say "Who talks like that?".
* NightmareFuel: Riggan [[spoiler: shooting himself]]. Both the act itself, but also everyone's reaction, who, rather than being horrified, [[spoiler: proclaim him to be a genius who has made an artistic breakthrough]].
* SciFiGhetto: While the film stands as an aversion considering it was a great success, and had a lucrative award season, arguably some of it is believed to come from [[http://comicsalliance.com/birdman-director-says-superhero-movies-are-cultural-genocide/ Iñárritu's own distaste for superhero films]] bleeding over to the film.
* SignatureScene: The scene where Riggan walks through Times Square in nothing but his underwear.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Given he's one of the largest roles and best characters in the movie, a few viewers have complained about Mike becoming OutOfFocus in the final act.
* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Considering nearly everyone in this movie is a melodramatic, self-centreed jerk, it can be really hard to care about what happens.
* TrueArtIsAngsty: The movie depicts how the world of Broadway is embracing this trope. Riggan's extreme method acting is the icing on the cake.
----
** Riggan's Birdman persona. Is he a malevolent presence that wants to torment Riggan? Or a gruff voice of reason meant to help Riggan by telling him the truth and boosting his ego? Or is he somewhere in between? A figure providing a mental crutch that simultaneously traps Riggan in his nostalgia and helps him get through the stress of his TroubledProduction?
** There are a lot of viewers who think Mike was actually attempting to rape Leslie on the stage in the bed due to her reaction, and those who think he was simply [[EnforcedMethodActing faking her out to give her that reaction]].
** The audience on opening night can be subjected to this. When [[spoiler: they give the show a standing ovation after Riggan shoots himself]], do they actually know that [[spoiler: the suicide attempt was real]], or do they think it's AllPartOfTheShow? Given the many people in the theatre, [[TakeAThirdOption there's the very real possibility that some thought the former and some thought the latter]]. We don't get to see [[spoiler: the aftermath of Riggan's shooting]] ourselves, so it's debatable how realistic it looked to everyone in that audience, especially given the different views they'd have based on seating.
* AwardSnub:
** Although the film was nominated for nine UsefulNotes/{{Academy Award}}s, tying ''Film/TheGrandBudapestHotel'' for the most nominations, it received no nomination for Film Editing, which is strange considering how it's one of the most distinctive aspects of the film's style.
** Most agree that Creator/MichaelKeaton should've won for Best Actor at the 2015 Oscars over Creator/EddieRedmayne for ''Film/TheTheoryOfEverything''. Keaton swept the Critics' awards and was widely regarded as the favorite and frontrunner, until Redmayne beat him at both the Screen Actors Guild and UsefulNotes/{{BAFTA}}s. The fact that Redmayne's film is seen by many as forgettable OscarBait while ''Birdman'' is viewed as a classic doesn't help matters, neither does Keaton's performance continuing to receive acclaim years later while Redmayne's is usually only brought up when people complain about his win.
* BigLippedAlligatorMoment:
** [[spoiler:Lesley and Laura]]'s [[GirlOnGirlIsHot lesbian kiss]] scene, which doesn't have any impact on the plot and is never mentioned again afterwards, and [[spoiler:Laura]] doesn't even get called out for [[spoiler:cheating on Riggan]].
** There's also a quick background shot of two naked people walking around backstage, who may or may not be the above mentioned.
* CatharsisFactor: Riggan's awesome TheReasonYouSuckSpeech [[TakeThatCritics to Tabitha]] counts as this both InUniverse, but also as a meta example for anyone, both as a viewer or professional whose had to deal with a pretentious critic like her.
* CrossesTheLineTwice: The idea that the general public would be so enraptured by an actor [[spoiler: actually shooting himself onstage]] is both [[NightmareFuel nightmarish]] but also strangely comedic due to its sheer absurdity.
* GeniusBonus: Of course, [[Creator/JorgeLuisBorges Borges's]] ''Labyrinths'' is the book Mike is reading while in the tanning booth. It's blatantly symbolic of him, Riggan, and the film's high art obsession along with the film's MagicalRealism elements.
* HeartwarmingInHindsight: Given the entire movie is about Riggan trying to pull off a CareerResurrection, the fact that his actor Creator/MichaelKeaton had a real life one thanks to this film is rather sweet.
* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct:
** Despite losing the Oscar for Best Actor to Creator/EddieRedmayne, there's no denying that Michael Keaton delivers a stunning performance after over a decade of mediocre and secondary roles. His work here was so good, it completely reignited his career, and has caused film fanatics to continue decrying his Oscar loss years after the fact.
** While she was still seen as a strong actress beforehand, Creator/EmmaStone's work here wowed many and resulted in her first Oscar nomination.
* HilariousInHindsight:
** After this film reflecting Iñarritu's real life distaste for superhero movies with a special focus on the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, the actor playing the show's costumer went on to a prominent role in ''Series/JessicaJones2015''.
** So much regarding Creator/MichaelKeaton, which makes the metatextual aspects of the movie all the more relevant and hilarious.
*** The story is about [[RealitySubtext a former superhero actor, who has fallen out of the public eye for a while, trying to reinvent himself as a prestige actor]]. This movie marked the beginning of a CareerResurrection for Keaton.
*** An action sequence in the middle of the film has Birdman tell Riggan that once he's done with his play on Broadway, he should go back to doing superhero movies on the side. Keaton would take jobs from both Creator/MarvelStudios and Creator/DCFilms only a few years after ''Birdman'', on top of doing multiple high-profile roles that received critical acclaim.
*** On the subject of the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse (which this movie [[TakeThat alludes to in a pretty disparaging way]]), Michael Keaton being cast in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming'' makes his character's reluctance to return to superhero movies that much more ironic. Even better, Creator/RobertDowneyJr appears in the film when Riggan disparaged him and Iron Man.
*** Keaton being confirmed to play Vulture in that movie is a pretty obvious ActorAllusion to ''this'' movie, making the concept of the Birdman persona in its relation to promoting Riggan's CareerResurrection amusing. That in-movie, it says that they need to go back to doing another ''Birdman'' movie now that Riggan is in the limelight again, makes Keaton's decision to play Vulture outright hysterical.
*** During the famous naked Broadway walk scene, a person dressed in Spider-Man costume [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8CrX6OVMAA-VN2.jpg appears in the crowd]], making for some pretty amusing comments.
*** Finally, Keaton's casting in a ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' movie puts his estranged relationship with his daughter--whose actress, Creator/EmmaStone, played Gwen Stacy in the now-defunct ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''--in an amusing new light, considering that both thespians are now separated by different incarnations of ''Spider-Man'' adaptations.
*** Not only that, but in ''Homecoming'', he's also [[spoiler:the father of a ''different'' Spider-Man love interest, specifically Liz Allen]].
*** And finally, to send it all home, it has been confirmed that Keaton [[https://www.ign.com/articles/michael-keaton-batman-return-the-flash-confirmed will reprise his role]] as Batman in the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse film ''[[Film/TheFlash2022 The Flash]]''.
** At one point, Sam delivers a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Riggan, claiming he doesn't care about the rest of the world, using, among other examples, the fact that he doesn't have a Website/{{Facebook}} page as evidence. It's basically a more effective version of a speech [[Comicbook/CivilWar Sally Floyd tried on Captain America]], which is doubly hilarious when you remember Iñárritu's less than welcoming opinions of superheroes (at least on film).
* HypeBacklash: Following its Oscar win for Best Picture, there was a slew of criticism that the movie's victory was more politically motivated due to its numerous {{Take That}}s at the Superhero genre and the director's own quite negative remarks about the genre.
* JerkassWoobie:
** Sam's not very nice, but when you consider that Riggan is her father, it's hard to blame her -- while it's clear he loves her, he's often too self-involved and unbalanced to be a good parent. She has to put up with his (and everyone else's) bullshit ''constantly'', and is often viewed as a nuisance at best by the others.
** Riggan is certainly a flawed individual. He thinks too highly of himself, doesn't realize how insulting he can be to those around him, was apparently a rather bad family man in his heyday, and if we're to believe him, he dropped a light on Ralph simply because he's bad actor. At the same time, he's so pathetically washed up nowadays that it's hard not to pity him. He's clearly putting everything he has into the show, only to have every kind of personal and professional problem pop up, including relationship problems with both his family and girlfriend, dealing with a major [[ThePrimaDonna Prima Donna]], repeatedly being publicly humiliated, and facing off against a critic who is dead set on destroying his show out of pure spite. Not to mention, whether he has powers or not, it's clear that Riggan is very far from mentally well, to the point that [[spoiler:he attempts suicide]].
* {{Narm}}: Lesley reveals that she's sleeping with Mike by saying "We share a vagina". This has caused a few viewers to say "Who talks like that?".
* NightmareFuel: Riggan [[spoiler: shooting himself]]. Both the act itself, but also everyone's reaction, who, rather than being horrified, [[spoiler: proclaim him to be a genius who has made an artistic breakthrough]].
* SciFiGhetto: While the film stands as an aversion considering it was a great success, and had a lucrative award season, arguably some of it is believed to come from [[http://comicsalliance.com/birdman-director-says-superhero-movies-are-cultural-genocide/ Iñárritu's own distaste for superhero films]] bleeding over to the film.
* SignatureScene: The scene where Riggan walks through Times Square in nothing but his underwear.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Given he's one of the largest roles and best characters in the movie, a few viewers have complained about Mike becoming OutOfFocus in the final act.
* TooBleakStoppedCaring: Considering nearly everyone in this movie is a melodramatic, self-centreed jerk, it can be really hard to care about what happens.
* TrueArtIsAngsty: The movie depicts how the world of Broadway is embracing this trope. Riggan's extreme method acting is the icing on the cake.
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