'Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance' Review of Korean

Madangnori full of sarcasm and mockery

*madangnori is a traditional Korean outdoor performance 

Korean Version of Birdman Poster

I went to the theater to watch Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance last Sunday night.

The movie seems easy but hard to understand. At first, I couldn't make head or tail with many satires and symbols. Nevertheless, the film is very interesting, fun, and unique.

The story is quite simple. A washed-up Hollywood actor tries to reinvent his career by writing, directing and starring in a short story named What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Birdman shows a variety of episodes in the process. However, the development of the story is not all of the films. Sharp satire and symbols add zest to the movie.

Riggan is a has-been Hollywood movie star. In fact, he resembles Michael Keaton playing the lead role.  Birdman is quite alike Batman which the old actor played before. Riggan's alter ego Birdman suggests Riggan, who is tormented by the voice of him, goes back to Hollywood giving up play.

Riggan's alter ego Birdman

Batman played by Michael Keaton (Batman 1)

Riggan and Birdman

Mike played by Edward Norton has received mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences, however, the fierce-tempered actor's actual life is quite mass. It has a strong resemblance to Edward Norton who has a poor reputation between filmmakers and staff members despite his excellent performances and great reviews from viewers.

Mike and Riggan

The movie satirizes on actors' real-life and shows sharp satire on critics who ignore acting easily with their intellectual vanity. It also scoffs blockbuster movies using special effects that are not timely.

Emma Stone playing Samantha

Birdman criticizes stage actors who regard movies as a just subordinate genre of play through Riggan's business partner taking care of long-take and ticket sales only. And it expresses criticism about the conflict between generations in the family and the younger generation through Riggan's daughter Samantha who can't communicate with her father well and just talk about recent issues like SNS and social marketing.


Let's Watch the movie trailer.

The film is also pretty interesting to hear instant percussion music. And I am deeply moved with admiration camerawork full of sarcasm and mockery, too.