The Big Year
David Frankel
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Plot Summary
Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson form a comic dream team in this smart, funny comedy from the director of The Devil Wears Prada and Marley & Me. Looking to shake up their routine lives, three amateur bird watchers compete to become the ultimate “birder” by spotting the greatest number of species within a single calendar year. But the friendly rivalry soon turns into a hilariously complicated cross-country adventure as each man begins to realize that the quest for success comes at a price — and that’s not chicken feed!
Movie Reviews from Rotten Tomatoes
TOMATOMETER
40%- Reviews Counted: 103
- Fresh: 41
- Rotten: 62
- Average Rating: 5.1/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: Like birding itself, "The Big Year" rewards patience. It respects both the integrity and the eccentricity of the avian obsession, and it communicates something of the fascinating abundance and weirdness of the animals themselves.
Rotten: Failing even to attempt genuinely humorous gags or scenarios, and incapable of conveying the thrill of its obsessive pastime or the majesty of the animals themselves, this feel-good male weepie remains comedically and dramatically grounded.
Rotten: Unfortunately, these comic geniuses are kept caged by the wan script and direction. The best gag in the film is the opening title card; the best joke, a throwaway by a day player.
Rotten: This movie stubbornly refuses to take flight, or generate more than a few chuckles.
Customer Reviews
This is not a Gag movie
When I first heard that this movie was in the making, I was suspicious of the cast. I'd read the book. I knew making a joke movie would be horrible. Still I was quick to see it in the movie theater and it was lovely. Forget that the big names are all comedians. They are actors, and do a good job telling a story about real people. If you've ever looked at the birds out the windows, you'll enjoy this. If you've gone the extra mile and bought a bird-book and a pair of binoculars, you'll love it. I can't imagine that the people who never look away from the computer screen or the TV will get it, but that's their loss. I've pre-ordered because I love it, and will want to see it again.
A Great Movie
I saw this with my family, not knowing what it was even about, so i was skeptical to go in the first place. But this movie has an all star cast and it definitely does deliver. I really have no idea why this got such bad reviews. It wasn't really a comedy in the first place, more like a feel-good movie. I recommend to rent it or even buy it (which i will) because this is one of my favorite movies of the year.
A SMART, UPLIFTING COMEDY
With a movie starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson, you'd think it'd be filled with tons of slapstick gags and over-the-top acting, right? Well, that isn't exactly the case in "The Big Year", a simple, yet lighthearted comedy with a plausible premise and a surprising amount of depth. It's the story about three bird enthusiasts who set out on a year-long quest to outdo each other by finding the most species of birds in North America. Interestingly enough, their competition is an allegory for the challenges faced in their lives. The thing that really sets this film apart from all the others in its genre is that it takes place all across the U.S. and showcases nearly every one of the 750 native and migrating birds that our protagonists are out to find. And while the movie does have its amusing moments at times, you can definitely argue that there's more heart than humor in the story. All three of the main characters have different, yet similar backstories that make you wanna sympathize with and even relate to them. As a result, the overall tension in the plot doesn't come across as too clichéd or schmaltzy. In fact, it's just melodramatic enough to keep things light and interesting. All in all, "The Big Year" is a heartwarming and honest comedy-drama with breathtaking cinematography, an enjoyable premise, and a cast of likable characters worthy of rooting for. It's probably one of the most underrated movies to be released in the past year, and it really shouldn't be. The message it ultimately sends across is enough to leave you smiling once it's over. Personally, I had to watch it more than once to fully appreciate that moral. Anyway, If you get the chance, go ahead and rent the film. You won't be disappointed.
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- $14.99
- Genre: Comedy
- Released: 2011
- © 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.
