S3E7: Employee Picks - Birdman - The Enneagram in a Movie

In this episode, Mario Sikora, TJ Dawe and TJ Ingrassia discuss “Birdman,” starring Michael Keaton. As the film oozes with themes of the Enneagram Type Four, “Striving to Feel Unique,” the three hosts look at the question “What is art?” and “Who is a real artist?” as they examine the lead character played by Keaton. They also consider the Enneagram Types for the other characters in the film and talk about the artfulness of the director, Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

“The movie itself is really all about these Four-ish issues. Now when I think of Fours, I always think of this preferred strategy of striving to feel unique.” - Mario Sikora [17:54]

“Three hadn’t occurred to me watching it, but I had watched it thinking, ‘If he’s a Four, it’s definitely not a perfect portrait of a Four.’ The central to his arc in this movie is wanting to earn the respect and the esteem of other people for him as an artist.” - TJ Dawe [20:24]

“I don’t know how much Michael Keaton actually wrestles with things the way that Riggan Thomson does, but I’m quite sure Keaton was able to access something for this role.” - TJ Ingrassia [30:47]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01] Intro

[01:20] This week’s movie: “Birdman”

[03:21] About the movie

[08:19] Hosts’ reaction to the movie

[12:36] Enneagram Type Four

[17:43] Riggan Thomson, an artist?

[21:04] Authenticity vs commerce

[28:58] Michael Keaton as a Type Seven

[33:08] Sam’s Enneagram Type

[40:19] Edward Norton as Mike Shiner

[46:35] Zach Galifianakis as Jake