BIRDMAN (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

The written companion

Draft companion · Awaiting editorial review

Birdman: Performance, Approval, and the Things an Artist Thinks He Needs

Cayla joins Dan and Matt for Birdman, a film that gives their conversation more to work with than admiration for Michael Keaton alone. Dan sees it as a commentary on art and validation, with the performances making its arguments feel personal rather than merely theoretical.

The tension between what is real and what is performed interests him especially. Characters criticize artificiality while remaining caught in their own demonstrations of authenticity. Dan is struck by how far that pursuit can go, and by the uncomfortable response it can attract from people who are supposed to be judging the work.

Keaton and Edward Norton provide obvious points of discussion, but Zach Galifianakis becomes a particular surprise for Dan. Seeing him in a more serious register changes what Dan expects from the actor. The casting makes the film's conversations about image and reputation feel even more pointed.

Matt's affection remains strong on revisiting, even if it is not quite the same rush he remembers from the first encounter. He gives the film five stars; Dan gives it four, describing greater enjoyment than he had anticipated. The shared admiration leaves room for different degrees of attachment.

Does Birdman make you sympathize with the need for artistic recognition, or distrust it? Which performance most changed the way you saw the actor behind it?

Watch their Birdman discussion ↗

Based on auto-generated captions. Cayla participates in this episode. The source includes major spoilers and discussion of self-harm; this companion avoids the ending's events.