Though the full wingspan of the best-picture favorite at the Academy Awards is usually clipped down to simply “Birdman,” the movie many think is destined to fly highest at the Oscars is officially titled “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” If it were to win, it would be the longest-titled best-picture winner, as well as the most grammatically dubious. Oscar night may come down to not only what name is read from the night’s final envelope, but also how the winning film is said. Should either name be called, writer-director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu isn’t quibbling. While discussing his preference in a recent interview, Inarritu said, “Better the full title, but honestly I understand we have to be practical. It’s more practical to say ‘Birdman.’ That’s fine by me.”
