To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school…it is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. – Henry David Thoreau
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Searching for meaning and value
In the film "Birdman" Riggan is trying to rebuild his reputation and want to become famous again in the movie and the Broadway show world. He is living in his own world and doesn't know what’s outside of his own space. He is kind of lost. Riggan is trying to find out what is his value of living in this world and also why does he want to be an famous actor and director and also trying to find out what he really is. He is trying really hard to search for the meaning and value of him being in this world, a world where there's full of fantasy. I think authenticity is a big theme. In the film, there is always a voice that's telling Riggan the truth and telling him that he's not famous anymore and people doesn't care about him, and also telling him the reality but sometimes encourages him and leads him onto the right track. Riggan is always fitpghting against himself and trying to get over with his pressure that related to thousands of audience. The ending of the movie is the most interesting and resonated part to me. At the hospital, Riggan finally takes off his Birdman mask and no longer need the fake person inside his mind to guide him and tell him what to do also to tear him down from hiding behind the truth. Also his daughter finally have a smile on her face and looking up in the sky instead of looking down. And to me, I think he finally found himself and know that being famous isn't that important, there are lots of different things waiting for him to seek. Riggan finally found the meaning and value of his life and no longer living negatively.
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I think that the final scene was one of the most fascinating parts of the movie too. By taking off the bandages, Riggan was symbolically removing Birdman from his life, thereby achieving authenticity since he is no longer moved by a perception of himself. I think that Sam smiling is a sign of recognition that her father has finally achieved something he longed for, authenticity.
ReplyDeleteI like your interpretation of the ending. It seems to me that Birdman segways into a hopeful and optimistic ending, but only because we see Sam smiling. If that were cut, would we still think it went towards a positive direction?
ReplyDeleteI like your take on this. I thought he was trying to change his reputation but I like how you say 'rebuild' his reputation.
ReplyDeleteThe final scene is really impressed me too. When he takes off the bandage layer by layer, he finally sees that who he really was. I think it symbolized that by taking off the society mask, Riggan finally sees who he really was and find his meaning of life.
ReplyDeleteI think your interpretation of the final scene is the most hopeful: in spite of the trails we may experience in effort to be authentic and free, there is ultimately hope if we continue on this quest.
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