Birdman nabbed the Best Picture Oscar tonight much to my delight. I loved the movie but understood the criticisms of its overrated nature. Most of the films in this category were extra Oscar-y this year. Birdman was no different in that respect. All of the unending shots and magical realism in this movie are an acquired taste. I also think people who enjoyed the movie appreciated how it poked fun at the superhero movie trend. Will we see Robert Downey Jr. aiming to make a big comeback on Broadway one day?
Director Alejandro Inarritu fluidly constructed a film meant to depict a group of broken characters. The contrast startled, and his single-take approach was risky. Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and the other actors all referenced the stressful nature of this shooting method. This necessary illusion created a dream-like aura and fed the fragility of Riggan Thomson’s need for validation. The end result was a blisteringly satiric and uncomfortable work full of blemishes and a lack of dignity. I found all of it beautiful. The long shots were artsy and pretentious, but this movie was about a tortured actor. We all know actors are some of the most pretentious people. So Inarritu’s method worked. If the movie was filmed in a traditional way, the effect wouldn’t have been the same.
In turn, the quality of the actors involved prevented Birdman from playing like a gimmick. Inarritu coaxed his cast to give a series of furious performances, the best they’ve ever given. The craftsmanship of the entire production is evident. During his speech, Inarritu thanked Tess Gallagher, the widow of Raymond Carver, for letting him use a Carver short story as a framing device. Keaton stepped up with a quick, “This has been a tremendous experience. This guy is as bold as bold can be … look, I’m just glad to be here.”
Alejandro Inarritu also took Best Director. He began his speech with “Tonight I am wearing the real Michael Keaton tighty whities. They are tight, smell like balls, but it worked. Thank you, Mikey.”” Inarritu acknowledged the mastery of his fellow nominees and seemed surprised to win. All those long shots paid off. Congrats to Alejandro and the cast and crew of Birdman!
Movie stills & poster courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
So happy for this! I haven’t seen the movie, but I’ve read great things about it here from other posters.
Sean Penn SUCKS and was not funny when he introduced the winner.
He was attempting a joke, IMO, remember he worked with Iñarritu in 21 grams.
@Ennie, I caught on that he was attempting to be funny in his caustic way. I simply didn’t like the way his words seemed to delegitimize Inarritu. I think it is especially crass to utter “green card” on a stage in California during Inarritu’s triumphant moment.
I don’t like him much, but I acknowledge that he does his part in fighting for his causes, even if I think that he is sometimes misguided (I did not like his “friendship with Chavez).
I liked his work in 21 grams, and I know about his Milk movie and what it stands for. He is friendly with Iñarritu, and all that. I think his joke was more satirical, a jab at immigration policies or whatever, but he flunked the delivery of it.
Wife-beating a**hole. He shouldn’t have been invited, I don’t care how good an actor he is.
Sean Penn is a POS and shouldn’t be allowed at award shows. It doesn’t matter that he’s worked with Alejandro before, it was still an unnecessary offensive comment.
I wish Selma had won instead but I’m content with Birdman winning. Thank god Boyhood didn’t win
@Anna, I SO agree. I wish Selma was the winner but I’m so glad it wasn’t Boyhood. All in all I was happy with all the winners.
I hated his comment. Left such a sour taste at the end of what I thought was a ceremony filled with nice speeches and moments. NPH awkwardness aside. Can’t stand Sean Penn.
YAAAAAAY!
Seems to be getting some hate but I thought this movie was perfect.
Why weren’t there any stars at this year’s Oscars? Like, none.
Thank you! The Emmy’s had more star power than the 2015 Oscar audience. Maybe the rest of the A-listers (there were a few scattered in the audience) decided to hit the ‘After Oscar parties’ early?
Because none of the big movie stars made an Oscar-worthy film this year? They don’t tend to show up if they aren’t nominated and didn’t win the previous year, not unless they get to present something special/to someone special.
We’re going to see less and less ‘movie stars’ at these things. Brad and George are just about the only ones left who manage to churn out award-worthy work every few years. Johnny is dead in the water, Leo and Matt Damon aren’t really movie stars in quite the same way (primarily because they don’t seem to want to be), Affleck never really was one and he’s shooting himself in the foot with his blockbuster acting ambitions. Julia still get’s nominated for some unknown reason, but she’s no Meryl so that’s gotta end soon. Angelina can’t pick a good project to save her life and since she’s working less and less her chances of ending up in a decent film by accident are reducing. Beyond that, who is there? Cruise and Smith are never going to get nominated again without doing truly astonishing work, and they don’t have it in them. Tom Hanks is as famous as they get but I don’t know that anyone get’s that excited about him?
The new batch of movie stars are a different breed. Look at someone like ScarJo. She’s had a better year than all the big movie stars combined, but she’s not trying to be one of them. No one wants to pick up that mantle.
I agree. I think people are comparing it to last year when there happened to be a lot of big names nominated, but this year it was a fairly new group of people. I think we’re seeing a younger generation get roles in the Oscar nominated movies, and I like that it’s not the same old same old year after year.
I would have thought Angelina would have made some type of effort, as her film was nominated in a couple of categories. But maybe not to her standard?
Yea!!!!
Called it back in September!!!
LOL! I couldn’t help laughing at the thought that Sean Penn looks like he could be Jeremy Renner’s father. 🙂
And what was up with his staring at the winner’s title in disbelief for nearly a full minute before saying–“How did this ___ get a green card?”–and then (finally) announcing the Best Picture winner? Did anyone else think that was a bit strange?
I think he was just trying to be funny.
I was really hoping Boyhood would win, or at least best director for Richard Linklater. I loved the film and felt it deserved more Oscar credit for what it accomplished.
I really enjoyed both Birdman and boyhood, but feel boyhood was the more substantial film that engaged my emotions and I’m sorry it didn’t win. It’s kind of ironic that what really made birdman a very good picture were the performances of keaton and norton, neither of whom won. Good for Patricia Arquette, commiserations to the excellent Ethan Hawke.
I think Birdman was an overrated film. Sorry, I just do.
I thought Boyhood was more Overrated so I cheered when Birdman won.
People keep getting this stat in their head about everyone working on Boyhood for 12 years! Errr..no..they took about a week out of every year for 12 years. It didn’t take any more “work” on the actors part than if they made it consecutively.
I so agree. I would go even further and say I thought it was meandering and pretentious. The only reason it received so much attention us because if it’s subject matter. It’s a movie about actors, but there have been better ones. All About Eve for example. Although it was about the industry the overriding themes, aging and betrayal, appealed to others outside the business. IMO Birdman will not stand the rest if time.
I knew Birdman would win because … ACTORS in the process of ACTING. What could possibly be more important?
I think if you’ve ever ACTED or studied ACTING, you understand just how flawless and seamless the ACTING was, especially within the parameters they were given from the director.
This is not a movie for everyone, but if you are in the theatre or movie industries, I think you have more of an appreciation for the vision and hard work that went into this.
Anyone else notice Keaton’s Beetlejuice quote at the end of the Best Picture remarks? I’m so glad this pic won!
No I didn’t get the Beetlejuice reference at the end of Michael Keaton’s speech – what was it?
Why does Sean Penn still exist?
As a cautionary tale to warn us of how every ugly deed we do will show on our faces! He’s a stupid prick.
This!
Somewhere, Kíddo is fluffing her plumage and chirping “YASSSS!”
I’m really glad he won Best Director. I work in TV and was SO CAPTIVATED by the cinematography (I wasn’t by the plot). Now I know they used dissolves on the pan shots, but wow it was amazing to watch. I can see why Hollywood types preferred the “tortured artist who just wants to be loved” more than “boy grows up in middle class working family”.
But I really wanted Boyhood to win Best Picture. Where Birdman fell flat to me was the emotionality of it. Meanwhile Boyhood, which probably could’ve been directed better, was really moving. It made me remember how it felt to grow up. It was comforting and relatable and beautiful. I found myself reminiscing for days afterwards, if not a week or two. It stuck with me, and to me that’s the kind of movie that should win Best Picture. Especially when everybody can relate.
That being said, I was also really moved by Wild, but that’s because of Cheryl Strayed. And I recognize that’s not the type of story that’s universal. I am not a religious person, but I felt so understood by Wild because being in nature is where I feel something divine. And as the adopted daughter of my stepmom whom I completely adore, it made me think about how important mothers are to daughters. Wild just really touched me and I wanted to throw that out there.
I agree. Boyhood stayed with me for quite a while. I kept thinking about it. I was unprepared for how much it grabbed me as the years went along and you saw the changes in the family dynamics and the boy. That speech towards the very end with father and son in the bar was brilliant and moving. when it ended, I felt so emotional and the movie didn’t leave me. To me, it was the best movie of the year and a classic.
I was torn between which to root for. Boyhood touched my soul and stayed with me for days and days. Every time I hear “Hero”, I’m brought back to scenes in the film that I loved. I thoroughly enjoyed the artistry of Birdman, but the story didn’t resonate with me in the least. I had an emotionally distant appreciation of the film as a great piece of filmmaking. I wasn’t terribly surprised to see Birdman win since critics were the ones that loved Boyhood, not industry insiders voting for SAGs, PGAs, DGAs and Spirit Awards.
It invites the question as to what makes a great movie… one that affects you on a deeply emotional level or one that captures your imagination by its artistry?
Mexican girl here! So so so happy for Alejandro, for Emmanuel, for Birdman, for Alfonso Cuaron last year. So proud! I truly thought Boyhood had it in the bag!
+1, now waiting for Guillermo to get his:-)
Another mexican girl here! Congrats to Iñarritu.
I am mexican and I’m so proud. Birdman is an original and great movie. First Cuaron and now Alejandro yeiiii
I’m looking forward to seeing Guillermo del Toro’s new movie in Oct, which looks like it could be a visual feast. Perhaps you’ll be cheering for him in 2016…
And the RW outrage over American Sniper has started-the comments are sickening and racist to boot.
I’m kind of curious, but like, not really, but also like, insanely curious to see these comments…
Weird. I knew American Sniper was’t going to win either Best Director or Best Film once the fake baby joke got so big. That was a VERY weak decision not to wait a day or so to shoot a scene. WTF?
Clint Eastwood entire directing philosophy is ‘let’s get it in the can as soon as humanly possible’. I don’t know why he’s so revered, his films are all packed full of scenes where he really needed to do another take, or take a minute and re-think a decision.
I’m so scared to look I’m not even going to.
what about the last part of his speech, that was inmensely important.
Selma should have gotten it in my opinion.
Agree. Selma was for me the best off all the nominees. It should have won.
So happy for the film! I wanted MK to win Best actor, but hey…it’s all good. Except for Sean Penn. Perhaps I have no sense of anything (except disdain) for him. Otherwise, I was thrilled for “Birdman”.
Yeahhhhh!!! I’m so happy and his speech was awesome! We are having such a difficult time as a country, but we must not lose hope and keep fighting for our nation.
Gracias Alejandro por hablar así de México y los mexicanos.
Mexico has such a rich cultural and artistic heritage, and the world is very grateful for your country’s contributions! Gracias!
His speech was great.
So proud of how many Latinos won awards this year (director, screenplay, cinematography, film).
Oops double post
El Chivo Lubezki won his second Oscar in a row, last year for Gravity, and now for BIrdman. He did not want to do this film, as he loves the open shots (he was cinematographer in Tree of Life, for example).
It was an experiment that paid well.
Iñarritu said in an interview how the bird represented the Ego, and ho w he struggled with his own for a long time, and after fighting himself, he turned his ego from a vulture to a humming bird. I doubt that, but he is talented.
Boyhood should have won best movie.
But I’m happy for them, anyway.
I’m so happy it won both. I actually didn’t find it artsy or pretentious, and I’m normally the first to jump all over those types of films. Maybe it’s because I have a theatre background, but everyone of those characters was real for me. I know so many people like them. They were slightly exaggerated, but not by a whole lot.
I also thought it was chock full of real, emotional moments. They were just subtle. The rooftop scenes were riveting.
I wasn’t crazy about the ending, but it did make me think. I love movies that make you think.
I was so in awe of the directing/cinematography. Also the acting within those parameters! Edward Norton was the bomb. He was seamless. If JK Simmons wasn’t in the race, Norton would have got it.
Innovative, theatrical. It’s the kind of movie that people will still talk about and study in film school 50 years from now.
So happy about this- I adored Birdman! But I love Wes Anderson and Linklater and its sad both went home with nothing
Wes didn’t win anything personally but his movie picked up a few awards, which I’m sure was satisfying.
I wanted to love Birdman and just….didn’t. I also saw several of the other films and I just think 5 years from now when we are trying to remember what movie won in 2015 I don’t know that Birdman will be that film with ‘legs.’ But I could be wrong. Boyhood has stayed with me much longer than Birdman…actually American Smiper has too. But I get what Birdman was trying to achieve so for that I say bravo…
I liked Keaton’s performance, but the entire structure of the film is overrated in my mind. This was more an indie flick, and a low budget one – with the singular location. The camera following constantly was disorientating. The story itself was a little off in places. The dialogue was a little in excess, perhaps not to the annoying standard of Woody Allen neuroticism that I loathe, but irksome in places and the ending is a disappointment. I think it was chosen because it’s a story that revolves around the actor ego and let’s face it, the academy is what it is.
I didn’t love the film, only Keaton’s performance and thought the Grand Budapest Hotel would have won best picture, as it certainly won so many of the technical Oscars. Failing that, I thought it would have been The Imitation Game for best picture.
I actually hated this movie the acting was great and it was technically well made but the script came off like it was written by a freshman in college.
I liked Birdman, quite a bit actually, but I wonder how it will hold up as the Best Picture winner over time. I really expected boyhood to win, I haven’t seen it yet but the way people talked about the making of the film, it’s going to like many Oscar voters were going to reward that dedication.
Birdman won’t hold up, it could not even hold up until it’s own end. Just pretentious, navel gazing.
I would have preferred Boyhood or The Grand Budapest Hotel as Best Film.
I feel like such an uncouth curr because I only saw “The Theory of Everything” and “Selma” out of these movies being mentioned. I guess I should go to RedBox or something.
Thought Boyhood will take it but Birdman did. Okay but I HATED Sean Penn and what he said in the end. I was enjoying the whole shebang until this asshole came on and ruined everything by his “SOB and Greencard” comment. What a lowlife SOB himself. Where is Karma and what the HELL is wrong with Chalize!!
White priviledge, that’s what Sean Penn’s deal is though, of course, never addressed what with all of his philanthropy in the “third world” and adopting his girlfriend’s black child. I’m not knocking the good he has done for others just simply that often times history has shown that it is the supposed do-gooders or liberals who believe they are progressive who often engage in the most prejudiced behaviors from their priviledged perches. I don’t know why he was trotted out to present this award; I agree with commenters about his sour face and the b.s. statement, so disrespectful! If he doesn’t want to be a part of it, then give it to someone who will bring excitement and respect. To me, this is akin to Kanye stealing Beck’s moment, but unfortunately, Mr. Penn will never understand what he’s done because his priviledge and his insulation means he doesn’t have to. As for Charlize, either her loneliness drew her to settle and/or she was drawn to what she knew and/or something changed for the better for both of them in being together, hopefully the latter since I do wish them well. Time will tell. Sean’s way seems to be the slow, over time whittling down of his blonde partners’ self-worth and esteem so who knows…maybe this is the one where it all changes or maybe we’ll see where she’s at in 10 years…
Oops! Sorry: “privilege”
I agree that what Penn did to Inarritu was akin to what Kanye did to Beck: Interfering and trying to change the moment to make it something other than an honor for the person who won. What Penn was really saying is, “Why is this Mexican winning all of the awards?” In other words, you might have won the top awards tonight, and you might be my Hollywood “friend,” but deep down I still consider you someone who doesn’t really belong, and I’m going to point that out even if it wrecks your moment.
That was a tacky comment, one that showed total disrespect for Inarritu and for all for the people affected by immigration issues.
Sean Penn is washed up.
Birdman totally sucked. The only good thing was the camerawork! Absolutely no redeeming social value whatso ever . It’s amazing how the public can be convinced a piece of crap is worthy of anything. Money Talks. What was with Keaton chewing Gum all nite? Any of those films were better than Birdman
This is not about your feelings it’s about the best film and Birdman was amazing and the second was The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Both Alejandro and Wes are geniuses.
This^. I would have been happy with a Wes Anderson win as well.
@**sighs**
For a moment I really thought that Wes Anderson would win. I haven’t watched The Grand Budapest Hotel but it seems to be a pretty good movie