Birdman Final Scene: Film Analysis After watching Birdman, the scene that was most powerful and meaningful, for me, was the end of both the film and Riggan's play within the film. It's hard to say exactly when this scene begins because the entire film is shot under the illusion of being one continuous shot. Let's say it starts right when Riggan's ex-wife leaves his dressing room and Riggan starts preparing for the final scene. He puts on the wig, starts doing vocal warm-ups and, to the viewers' surprise, grabs a real gun, which becomes clear when he checks the bullets. As Riggan does this he is surprisingly calm. As he prepares, the camera floats around him following his movements. Throughout the film the camera seems like an omniscient being floating around and taking the viewer on a journey showing us everything that has a purpose. After Riggan cocks the gun, he raises his arm to point to the door. The camera turns to the indicated point and begins to move separately from Riggan. The moment the camera cuts away from Riggan, the drums begin to play and Riggan's vocal warm-up fades away. As the camera begins to move out the door and through the hallway it becomes clear that it has taken Riggan's first-person point of view when a man appears and says, "Break a leg, Mr. Thompson" into the camera. The corridor we are walking through is narrow and dark and together with the drums it adds a sense of anxiety about what is about to happen. When the corridor takes a turn, the camera switches roles again and turns in the opposite direction to see a man playing the drums. Seeing this drummer distorts our sense of reality because he brings this soundtrack to life. The camera now moves backwards with the focus on the drummer, Riggan then walks in front of the camera. It's like the drummer is playing Riggan. As Riggan moves away from the drummer, the lights turn blue, signaling a change in the environment and the approaching final scene of Riggan's play. There are also ambient noises that guide us through this transition. It starts with a cough, then a makeup artist talking to Riggan but the camera stays on Riggan's face and only slightly shifts its position within the frame to show his surroundings. Riggan then approaches his entrance and thunders it's a queue he's about to enter. He stands in front of a red light and is calm before the storm. Enter the scene. As he plays his part, the camera slowly pans around him. As it turns it shows the other two actors and also the audience. It's all about Riggan. After finishing his role, he steps into the spotlight revealing his true self to the audience. He raises his gun and shoots himself. He falls out of frame. The camera is now looking at the audience. The audience stands and gives a standing ovation. However, there is one person who cannot stand it, the critic. Before long he gets up and leaves while everyone applauds. The camera then looks up and towards the light; we then see the first intentional cut of the entire film. We move on to shots of a line of drums, jellyfish and a comet moving across the sky. These are the moments before his death. In this scene Riggan discovers that he is in control of his own happiness. He doesn't care about the critic and his life ends with a standing ovation from the audience. He has finally achieved happiness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay