Wednesday 18 February 2015

Five Lessons From Birdman Film

"Manzilein unko milti hai, jinke iraadon mein jaan hoti hai;
Udaan pankhon se nahi, udaan houslon se hoti hai..."
- Navjot Singh Sidhu (in India's Comedy Nights TV-show).

English Translation-
Those whose wishes/intentions have life, attain targets.
Flight is not by wings, flight is by strength of spirit or courage.

The Hollywood movie- Birdman is very interesting and set me thinking.
Small wonder, it has earned so many Golden Globe & Oscar Award nominations including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Acting etc.
Birdman poster.jpg
Poster ; Source: Wikipedia
Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is about Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), an erstwhile movie-star, who is still remembered as Birdman- his iconic role.

I learnt the following five lessons from Birdman film-

1. Know your purpose. Have strong fundas and values like gratitude and honesty-
"To call myself beloved and feel myself loved on Earth."
"This is about being respected & validated."
"You confuse love for admiration."
"Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige."
"You are beautiful and talented and I'm lucky to have you."
"Truth is always interesting."
"I don't pretend out there."
"I have been reborn. I can see the future."

2. Do not rest over past laurels. Strive hard, have full focus and be faithful even during adversities-
Riggan had been a superstar once. However, he feels the world has forgotten him. He doesn't wish to be remembered only as Birdman. He makes a switch to Broadway and exhibits serious and intense passion for his new chosen work as writer, actor and director, even skipping meals and sleep. When he gets accidentally locked out, travels through Times Square in his underwear, and gets mobbed by fans, he still has full focus on his act for which he joins in the nick of time.

3. Have courage to face fears. Deal firmly with the inner voice-
Riggan's Birdman voice is critical and negative at many times. Riggan practices breathing techniques and uses his powers like telekinesis to shut it off. At other times, when the Birdman voice gives hope, encouragement and support, Riggan believes him, takes inspiration and is ready for flight.

4. Faith makes us achieve anything-
If we wish to fly, we must first believe that we can fly. 
Riggan's daughter goes to rehab and recovers from addiction. Riggan's friend has faith in Riggan's ability and takes risks.
Riggan has super qualities like- Levitation & Telekinesis. He lets his imagination take flight. He mortgages his house to fund his Broadway play. At the end, the audience gives his realistic act a standing ovation. He earns the strict critic's praise and rave-reviews too. He achieves fame and is famous. He silences his critics!

Pic with permission- Photo Prompt : Magpie Tales
5. Use Social Media to advantage-
At first, Riggan hates Bloggers, Twitter, Facebook, Social Media.
Later, he realizes the power of Social Media when his video goes viral on Youtube and his daughter explains that he commands power. She opens a Twitter account for Riggan and his account gains "80,000 Followers in less than a day"!

May we all recognize our potential and fly!
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are"
ee cummings
Linking with-
ABC Wednesday- F For Five, Fundas, Flight, Fly, Future, Fund, Faithful, Friend, Freedom, Face, Fears, Full, Finished, Focus, Fans, Followers, Fame, Famous, Facebook, Force, Faith, Film
Magpie Tales
In Other Words- Courage
Two Shoes Tuesday- Faithful

28 comments:

  1. Being faithful to one's goals while being open to change, is good advice. I never saw or even heard of the movie before this post. Sounds interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your wise words, Val.
      Yes, it's a very interesting movie. Do watch :)

      Delete
  2. Inspiring post. I always love to read your posts on movie lessons. It reminds me of college days, when we don't pay attention to the lecture, and read a friend's notes later. :P
    Have a great day. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so motivating! Lovely to learn :P
      Thanks for your sweet & encouraging words, Kiran :)
      Have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  3. Anita, I have not seen Birdman, but will put it on my list of must see movies. Thanks for the review, and for sharing what you learned from the film.

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    Replies
    1. That's nice to learn, Linda :) Delighted that you liked it!
      Am sure you'll love Birdman.

      Delete
  4. interesting review and I thank you. I rarely go to movies so I am sure this is one I will never see, but do to your excelleent writing, I can pretend I have seen it and have some idea that I know what I am talking about...However, I will always give the credit to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your candid maiden comment here, George :) Welcome to my Blog!
      Appreciate your appreciation and credit in advance :)

      Delete
  5. This was a great movie review, Anita! I love seeing what can be learned about life from movies and books, and you did an excellent job of pointing out the lessons in this one... all good ones for us to take to heart! I think belief in our own ability is the most critical thing in life, if we don't believe we can, we surely won't even try. If we believe, anything is possible!

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    Replies
    1. Even I love the same & share your views, Josie :)
      Thanks for your appreciation. Belief makes things possible!

      Delete
  6. It's a very good review of a movie thsat I thought was very well crafted but, for some reason, did not particularly enjoy.
    http://www.rogerogreen.com/2014/12/10/movie-review-birdman/
    ROG, ABCW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read your review, Roger. Well written. Thanks for sharing :)
      It happens that sometimes our expectations soar up owing to the hype, and hence the enjoyment gets affected.
      I loved Birdman for the ideas and lessons it conveys.

      Delete
  7. This is my second time to hear about the movie Birdman. It sounds like an interesting movie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed Romi. I liked this dark comedy.
      Some people didn't. Going without expectations helps :)

      Delete
  8. Some interesting thoughts here Anita, I would like to see the movie but will wait until it is out on DVD,
    then, one of my daughters, who is an avid collector of all the latest releases, will get it so then, can
    borrow it!
    best wishes,
    Di.
    ABCW team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading & for sharing your thoughts :)
      Nice that your daughter is a great movie fan. You can watch the DVD comfortably when you are free.

      Delete
  9. What an inspiring article, Anita! I wish to watch the movie... Will ask my brother to download it when it will be available :)
    TC! Keep smiling :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you liked it, Sindhu :)
      Do watch when you get the chance.
      TC! Keep smiling :)

      Delete
  10. Yes Anite, this is inspirational and you have listed a number of tenets in life that we should all aspire to. Now I must find the movie too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops! I should have typed Anita. Blame it on my old fingers.

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your views. It's an inspirational movie indeed!
      I know you are referring to my name only. I understand as I myself have committed many typing-errors in haste!

      Delete
  11. I have Birdman on my list of movies to see. I added it because Michael Keaton is in it but now I want to see it because it sounds like a movie with some intelligence. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Patricia.
      Yes, Birdman is an intelligently made movie and thus has earned so many Award nominations :)

      Delete
  12. Great advices Anita.. I love the use of social media.. to be social primarily :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading & sharing, Bjorn :) Glad you liked it!

      Delete
  13. Yet another movie Anita sigh! Inspiring though as it may be but yet telling me all the time that am I getting left behind somewhere...
    Remember Secret Life Of Walter Mitty...I mean c' mon i 'd rather do something for the love of something than to get so many likes or hits of likes in the virtual world. Remember ' Quintessence '...
    Mebbe I see the movie yet again today...have it in my hard disk...and probably it should inspire me more but hey I think I still remember some drums playing in the background...do you remember...between some scenes and I loved that conversation that Sam and Mike have on the terrace...that truth or dare one.
    Thank you Anita not only for this but also for much much more...u know...for always being there with kind words and for stopping by at my post :).
    Btw I found The Imitation Game very entertaining and educative too... And had not known the name Alan Mathison Turin until I had seen the movie.' Enigma 'sure had known bits about that one but heart goes out for the real father of what we now know as computers...
    Have u seen it already??? Wonder what u felt about the genius who committed suicide...because the world would just not accept him the way he was...harmless but different.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More movies in my list now, Shivani, as I haven't watched 'Secret Life of Walter Mitty', 'Quintessence', 'The Imitation Game' 'Enigma'... :)
      I loved the Truth/Dare conversation too in Birdman.
      May our world accept everyone, though they are different. All kinds make our world. variety is the spice of life!
      Thanks a lot for reading & for sharing your views :)

      Delete

Your words mean a lot to me.

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