In the movie Birdman,
Riggan Thomson, a Hollywood
celebrity has been turned a Broadway actor. He is constantly searching for a
meaningful existence through his career. Riggan has made it clear that his
intention of directing and creating the play is to be authentic to himself. He
wants something real, to be known for more than the superhero Birdman. It is
risky but he hopes that the Broadway will prove that he is a real artist and
not just a washed-up movie star.
I think the most interesting part of this movie is Riggan’s struggle with his identity- battling
between everyone’s impressions as the Birdman and being as an actor “Riggan”. The
first review he receives via newspaper about his play only broadcasting the
return of Birdman. It is clear that whatever Riggan does, he is always be
associated with his past career as Birdman. So, there is an inner battle that
has spawned a voice inside Riggan’s, the voice of Birdman that constantly
criticizes and mocks Riggan with the new path that he has taken. This voice in
his mind forces Riggan to reflect on his action. When Riggan gunshots himself
on stage, he has won the adoration of his fans and earned his daughter’s
respect. When he takes off his mask at hospital, Riggan is finally able to
silence Birdman’s voice. Riggan learns to make peace with himself and his past
because he proofs that he is a dedicated performer who is literally willing to
die for his play. In the end, his daughter Sam’s smiling face may also suggests
that Riggan is free and actually floating in the sky. “Birdman” cannot
represent Riggan anymore.
I, too, found that Riggan's inner battle between his authentic self and the person that everybody sees him as is very interesting. I think that every person has a similar dialogue going through their mind, though maybe not as tangible as that between Birdman and Riggan. Also, I took Sam's smiling face as a sense of freedom, but freedom to be his authentic self.
ReplyDeleteI can see how being tied down to one persona can drive a person a bit insane and desperate. Once an important role or even personality trait is "assigned" to you, everybody holds you to those expectations and assumptions. Riggan's problem to me seemed to be finding who he was again because he was labeled by a role he played and no longer seen as a person.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Riggan faces an inner struggle along with an outward struggle trying to find his authenticity. Birdman seems to follow him in mind and news wherever he goes and we can really see his struggle to free himself from that label of being Birdman.
ReplyDeleteI really like you idea of inner voice. A person would change eventually when his or her inner voice changes. The battle of Riggan is actually pretty common in our modern society. Many people nowadays are struggling between their truly self and other people's impressions to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Riggan is struggling between his own identity and the society label. He is willing to get rid of the label of BIrdman and be a actor. However, the "birdman" in him is always telling him that he is birdman and he will always be birdman. In order to get rid of this voice, he become anxiety and desperate. After experience a lot of struggling he finally find himself and labeled his identity by himself.
ReplyDeleteI think the movie criticizes the ignorance of people -- that they always see Reagan as Birdman, not the real him. Ironically, it is their ignorance that causes Reagan's suicide and makes his play an art piece. Thus, the subtitle is the unexpected virtue of ignorance.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you labeled Riggan's bandage as his "mask." This provides an interesting clue into the path Riggan needs to take to true authenticity.
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea about inner voice and I think that the battle inside himself reflects his failure of finding a standing point for himself and his life.
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