Birdman movie quotes tell the story of one washed up comic book movie star who strives to return to relevancy. The dark comedy was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu who co-wrote the screenplay with Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. and Armando Bo. "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" opened in theaters on October 17, 2014.
In "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)," Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) once was the comic book movie star Birdman but as of late, he hasn't done much of any positive value. Realizing that he's washed up, a point that his inner voice, the same voice as Birdman, tells him often, Riggan sets out to make a glorious comeback in showbiz and reconnect with his family, including daughter Sam (Emma Stone).
To do this, Riggan decides to adapt an old Raymond Carver novel into a Broadway play which he will write, direct and star in. But that's more difficult than he imagines, with the likes of actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) reminding him of this ambitious venture. So while he has good folks in his corner, including producer friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis) and lover Lesley (Naomi Watts), pulling off this play and magically returning to relevance in the world of showbiz is a feat that even a comic book superhero would struggle to accomplish.
"Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" brings a black comedy to theaters already showing films like "Fury," "The Best of Me," "The Book of Life," "The Judge," "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."
Birdman Movie Quotes,
Let's Make a Comeback!
Riggan Thomson, as Birdman: "How did we end up here? This place is horrible, smells like balls. You had it all. You were a movie star, remember? Now you're about to destroy what's left of your career. We should have done that reality show they offered us."
Riggan Thomson: "Shut up"
Riggan Thomson, as Birdman: "You know I'm right. Listen to me, man. You are the original! Let's make a comeback! You're Birdman! You are a god!"
Riggan's internal dialogue, which occurs in the voice of Birdman, is quite critical of his current life and state of affairs. Birdman, however, does encourage Riggan to make a glorious comeback… as Birdman, of course.
You're Not Important!
Riggan Thomson: "This is my chance to finally do some work that actually means something."
Sam Thomson: "That means something to who? You had a career, dad, before the third comic book movie, before people started to forget who was inside that bird costume. You are doing a play based on a book that was written 60 years ago for a thousand rich old white people whose only real concern is going to be where they have their cake and coffee when it's over. Nobody gives a s*** but you! And let's face it, dad, you are not doing this for the sake of art. You are doing this because you want to feel relevant again. Well guess what? There is an entire world out there where people fight to be relevant every single day and you act like it doesn't exist. This are happening in a place that you ignore, a place that, by the way, has already forgotten about you. I mean, who the f*** are you? You hate bloggers. You mock Twitter. You don't even have a Facebook page. You're the one who doesn't exist. You're doing this because you're scared to death, like the rest of us, that you don't matter and, you know what, you're right. You don't! It's not important, okay? You're not important! Get used to it."
Riggan's daughter, Sam, rips Riggan a new one by explaining some hard truths about how Riggan fits into the relevant works, or rather doesn't. She doesn't put it nicely but perhaps that's what Riggan needs to break out of his ignorance.
That's Ambitious
Mike Shiner: "You wrote this adaptation?"
Riggan Thomson: "I did, yes."
Mike Shiner: "And you're directing and starring in your adaptation? That's ambitious."
Mike tries to wrap his head around what Riggan is doing. Riggan is writing, directing and starring in this play, something Mike sarcastically calls "ambitious."
You Went to Rehab?
Mike: "You went to rehab?"
Sam Thomson: "Yeah, it wasn't all Dr. Drew but that dude from American Pie was there."
Mike and Sam take some time to get to know one another. But when the topic of Sam's rehab comes up, she explains that it was much less glamourous than he imagines.
This is About Being Respected and Validated
Jake: "This is about being respected and validated, right? That's what you told me. This is how you got me into this s**t!"
When Riggan is about to go off the rails, Jake is always there to put him back on track. Riggan got Jake into this play mess with a valiant mission and when Riggan begins to give up on that goal, Jake calls it out as not cool.
A Hollywood Clown in a Lycra Bird Suit
Tabitha: "He's a Hollywood clown in a lycra bird suit."
Mike: "Yes, he is, but he's going out on that stage and risking everything."
For once, Mike defends Riggan's attempt to make a grand comeback. Whether it works or ends in a train wreck, Riggan's bravery to try is not unnoticed.
A Washed Up Comic Strip Character
Gabriel: "Are you at all afraid that people will say you're doing this play to battle the impression that you're a washed up comic strip character?"Riggan Thomson: "No, absolutely not. That's why 20 years ago I said no to Birdman 4."
Asian Reporter: "Oh! Birdman 4! You do Birdman 4!"
In talking to the foreign press, Riggan tries his best to explain how this play will allow him to move on from his role as Birdman. When an Asian reporter hears of Birdman, however, he is instantly excited thinking Riggan will make another sequel. So much for that effort.
A Tiny Little Hammer
Sam Thomson: "Dad, are you okay?"
Riggan Thomson: "I'm broke, I'm not sleeping and this play keeps hitting me in the balls with a tiny little hammer."
When Sam asks about her father's well being, the answer she receives, about his balls and a tiny little hammer, isn't quite what she expected.
Our Perfect Dream Actor Is Not Going To Knock on That Door
Jake: "You don't have an actor and, if we can't do the first preview, the press is going to smell blood and we can't afford to lose any more money at all."
Riggan Thomson: "Okay, what do you think I should do?"
Jake: "Well, we hired an understudy. Let's use the understudy."
Riggan Thomson: "No"
Jake: "Riggin, listen to me please, for the love of god, listen. Our perfect dream actor is not going to knock on that door and go 'hey, fellas, when do I start?'"
Lesley: "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Riggan Thomson: "Yeah, what's up?"
Lesley: "Did you find another actor?"
Riggan Thomson: "No"
Lesley: "Okay, well, Mike's available."
Riggan Thomson: "He is?"
Jake: "Mike who?"
Riggan Thomson: "I thought he was going the thing…"
Lesley: "He was. He quit or got fired."
Jake: "Mike who?"
Riggan Thomson: "Which is it, quit or got fired?"
Lesley: "Well, with Mike it's usually both."
Jake: "Mike f***ing who?!"
Lesley: "Shiner"
Jake: "Yes!"
Riggan Thomson: "Jake"
Jake: "Oh my gosh! How do you know Mike Shiner?"
Lesley: "We share a vagina."
Riggan Thomson: "Do you think he'd want to do it?"
Lesley: "Mmmhmm"
Jake: "How do you know?"
Lesley: "Cause he told me he wanted to do it."
Riggan Thomson: "Jake, Jake, yes"
Jake: "Ask me if he sells tickets."
Riggan Thomson: "Fine, does he sell tickets?"
Jake: "He sells a s***load of tickets. Now ask me if the theater critics love him."
Riggan Thomson: "Do the theater critics love him?"
Jake: "They want to spooge on him."
Riggan Thomson: "Hey!"
Jake: "Lesley?"
Lesley: "Right on his face"
Jake: "Everything for a reason, right?"
Riggan Thomson: "Can he come in this evening?"
Lesley: "I call him and find out."
Jake: "I'll call his agent."
Just when Riggan and Jake feel that they have no good options for the lead actor in their play, an opportunity for a fantastic lead actor knocks on their door. Funny how that works, isn't it?
The Slutty Little Cousin of Prestige
Mike Shiner: "Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige, my friend."
Mike never hesitates to capitalize on a moment where he can be critical of Riggan's comeback attempt. He points out that Riggan is searching for popularity, but that is far from what he really wants, prestige.