the allegory / interpretation of the plot

Rating: 8/10 (22 May 2015)

Riggan's character is contradicted to that of Mike. Mike is depressed because he only can do anything on stage, while in life he is impotent. Riggan is the exact opposite. He can do anything in life (when his delusions give him super powers and help him become anything he wishes to become) while on stage he is an impotent washed up old man. Actually he understands that the only way he can become immortal on stage is killing himself with the gun on stage. This way he brings the ultimate truth on stage (dying on stage is the super realistic performance that no critic can ever dispute) thus achieving fame and recognition by the public, the critics and the press, but mostly by his daughter. He has understood that, and for the first time his is calm before getting on stage for the final act. Death shall blend both worlds into one. His post humus death dream is about achieving exactly that. Riggan, enters Riggan's own paradise. Now he does not need bird man anymore (whom he dismisses in the bathroom scene), because now HE IS BIRDMAN! He so removes the nose band (that closely resembles bird man's mask). Riggan can now actually fly. He is restored in the eyes of his daughter.