Tools of Characterization

Characterization in Birdman

Thoughts and Opinions

There are opinions aplenty in Birdman; actors aren't afraid to let you and everyone else know how they're feeling.

It seems like every character gets to have their own little monologue about their life and purpose and meaning: Sam's rant about social media and relevancy, Mike's argument for prestige and art, Leslie just wanting to make it on Broadway, Birdman glorifying the shiny silver screen. The list goes on.

And these thoughts and opinions can lead to some pretty drastic action. Our actors aren't just going to sit around and brood, they're going to get confrontational, like Mike and Riggan duking it out in a battle of wits and sandals, or Riggan throwing the glass against the bar wall when talking to Tabitha, or Lesley throwing the hairdryer at Mike.

Call them divas if you like, but their thoughts and opinions are directing their actions (and our plot) in some very real and visceral ways.

Social Status

We all know that movie stars aren't normal people. Think about it; as soon as a person because famous they become more than just a person, they become a celebrity.

So let's pull a Walk of Fame and put this in more concrete terms.

Do you know anything about Robert Downey Jr.? Ever kicked it with him at his house or chatted him up on the subway? Neither have we, but we assume he's such a complete egotistical jerk that he would only take the time to laugh haughtily at our lowliness from atop his superstar high horse before forgetting we even exist.

But why do we tend to think this? Could it perhaps have to do with the popular—and arrogant—superhero character he plays? What if Tony Stark was the nicest, most humble character? We'd probably view the actor that played him differently, too.

And that's the problem with being a celebrity known for play a popular character. At some point, the public forgets you as an individual (if they ever knew you in the first place) and imagines you as that character.

Riggan's social status as a super mega movie star has given him a lot of fame, but that fame seems only to have stroked his ego and desire for more fame…because Birdman slowly replaced the real deal.

Family Life

It's not a mistake that the first scene of the movie includes an irate Sam yelling at her father for the awful, god-forsaken job she has: the job of picking out flowers.

Wait…picking out flowers? That doesn't sound so bad. But maybe it's not so much about Sam's hatred of flowers; maybe it's about her relationship with her father.

Saying that there's a little family tension within the Thomson clan is quite the understatement. Sam has just gotten out of rehab, but still sneaks in some toking when she can. Riggan is a self-absorbed movie star who wasn't around much for his family, and Sylvia divorced Riggan when he threw a knife at her.

So yeah, things are a little messed up. But just like in Riggan's life, the family dynamics take a very literal backstage to what he's trying to accomplish, which as something to do with art and relevance and reputation. Our knowledge of Riggan's past and present family life presents him not just as a washed up actor but as the narcissistic person he is.