Index

Introduction What is real and what isn't? Fame and success Memorable Moment Plot Conclusion Rating

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Introduction

Have you ever stopped thinking if your life isn't only a dream? That all that you are experiencing and all the people that you know just a product of your imagination?
These kinds of thoughts have been bothering human minds for a long time, and different kinds of theories have been developed to find an explanation, like, for example, solipsism and subjective idealism. Solipsism is the philosophical belief that only one's own mind is certain to exist, and everything else, including the external world, is uncertain. Cartesio said:

"Cogito ergo sum"

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"I think, therefore I am"

Similarly, subjective idealism is the philosophical belief that only individual perceptions and experiences are real and that the external world is a product of the mind. Birdman explores this kind of theory, by mixing what seems real and what seems imaginary but without providing a definitive answer to what we have just seen. The finale in itself of the movie can be interpreted in different ways and leaves a lot of space for imagination, so watch the movie and let me know what is your theory.

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What is real and what isn't?

The movie "Birdman", incorporates some of these concepts and blurs the distinction between reality and fantasy, leaving the viewer unsure of what the protagonist is actually thinking. The movie challenges the audience to question their perceptions and beliefs, and it offers a unique perspective on the human experience.
Riggan is seen floating in the air at the beginning of the movie, but it is quickly established that this is in fact a figment of his imagination. So the audience is never quite sure what is real and what is Riggan's imagination throughout the entire movie. For instance, the telepathic exchanges between him and his alter ego, Birdman, are shown to be real, but it is subsequently discovered that they were simply Riggan's thoughts. All that we think we understood about the movie, is then challenged again in the finale (that I will not spoiler).

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Fame and success

I have always wondered looking at movies like this one, how the life of famous people is. We all have this idea that it is like a dream becoming true and the best you can aspire to... but the more I look into it, through movies, news, books, etc, the more I get convinced that fame and money are more of a malediction than anything else.
And of course, I don't want to be a hypocrite, because if I could be a little bit more richer or famous than I am right now, of course, I would not complain... but I think that there is a limit, too much fame or money can destroy your life... without generalizing of course, because there are people that can handle it better than others. But there are facts and studies that demonstrate that in order to achieve fame and money there are other aspects of your life that you need to sacrifice, and here it is a matter of choice, of what you value more...

In the Social Networks era, these problems have been even more intensified, since we always tend to compare our life and success with that of other people. This comparison could make someone feel inadequate and constantly feel the need to prove themselves, both of which are bad for mental health.

As shown in the movie "Birdman," pursuing celebrity and success can have a severe impact on a person's mental health and well-being. Former Hollywood superhero actor Riggan Thomson, the movie's main character, is attempting to establish his artistic reputation by producing and starring in a Broadway play. Despite his early enthusiasm for the performance, his obsession with success and perfection eventually has a negative impact on his mental health. He develops growing paranoia and anxiety, and his alter ego, Birdman, who stands in for his previous success, haunts him. He battles to emerge from the shadow of his former success as he is frequently compared to his old self. The movie demonstrates how Riggan's drive for achievement finally causes him to collapse and how it impacts those around him. The movie emphasizes the risk of becoming obsessed with celebrities and how this can result in identity loss and a feeling of isolation from the rest of the world.

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Memorable moment

Riggan is sleeping next to a trash bin and the external voice wakes him up, telling him to get a hold of himself. He gets up, and the voice starts to cheer him up, saying that even if he is not a good actor that's not a problem, he is a movie star, f**k all the other dushbags. Then we see birdman appearing behind him, continuing to incite him, saying that "'60s are the new 30s", and that he "paved all the way for these clowns", and in the meantime, he starts flying behind him (in the beginning we only see the wings and they seem like part of Riggan's body)... we see Riggan's expression change, as he regains confidence in himself slowly by slowly, up to the point when he has a psycho look on his face...
he starts flying, with Birdman saying "you are a god" and that "gravity doesn't even apply to you" ...
an unbelievably good scene, that will make you have goosebumps.

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Plot

A prominent actor who is known for having played a well-known superhero is getting ready to perform a play on Broadway. Yet in the days before the film's debut, he will have to confront his ego and work to mend his ties to his loved ones, his career, and eventually, himself.

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Conclusion

Birdman is a great movie that offers a lot of interesting insights on life, fame, money and acting... A great performance by the actors, especially Michael Keaton (probably the best performance of his life) and Edward Norton.
A totally suggested movie!!!

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Rating

My personal vote is:

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9.0/10

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