Film Review: The Big Year (2011)

By Scott Jeffrey

Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson all in a film together. With a supporting cast including Rashida Jones and Anjelica Huston. It's like a comedic wet dream. The nightmare comes when you hear the plot summary.

The Big Year is a story about a group of avid birders who set aside their personal lives in order to compete in an annual competition to see the most number of bird species in North America. Kenny Bostik (Wilson) Is the current record holder, going out to try and best his own world record.

Brad Harris (Black) is a perpetual loser stuck in a dead end job with an absolute knack for birding, he can tell any bird species only by the call. He decides to set out and spend most of his life savings on topping Bostiks record for a big year. During his quest he meets another avid birder Ellie (Jones) and falls head over heels in love.

Stu Pressler (Martin) is a business CEO who is finally retiring in order to complete his big year. His job, his family and his new grandson are keeping him from focusing entirely on his task.

The competition runs on the honor system, Bostik is accused of cheating and a bitter rivalry forms between these three birders, with alliances made and broken to further each character’s progress toward the world record.

Sorry to say but it is very difficult for me to get excited about birding in the first place. This is the sort of past time that is believable for Martin, but I would find it quite odd to see the other two characters so passionate about this sort of hobby without being in a science career.

The plot is predictable, a bit zany at times but unfortunately the script does not utilize the comedic talent they have on hand. Black doesn’t dance or "rigga goo goo", or any of his usual shtick. Instead he has to rely on his acting chops which aren’t exactly top notch.

I was excited to see Steve Martin in a film but even he seems to be tethered by the script.

Owen Wilson is the same damn character he always plays.

The one part that was a bit cool was the birds they made for this. They are CG and obvious about it, but it gives you something at least interesting to look at.

The soundtrack was alright but only for using the Eels song “I like Birds”.

Score: 5/10
Acting: 3/10
Effects/Visual: 5/10
Writing: 3/10
Directing: 5/10

Overall: 21/50

Take Away Thought: This one is best enjoyed by the elderly or by avid birders. There is nothing in this film that wouldn't appear on the Wonderful World of Disney. Pick it up at your Local Library if you must. Do not spend a dime on this.