The Big Year

"There is going to be major fallout in a few hours."

"Nuclear fallout?"

"Bird fallout."

Every year birders compete to see the most birds in a year, in an even called "The Big Year."  The reigning champion is Kenny Bostick (Wilson), a contractor.  Bostick is planning to take a break from the event, but can't handle having someone break his record.  Stu Preissler (Martin) has been planning to enter the Big Year for a long time, but commitments with his business and family make it challenging.  He plans to retire and spend the year bird watching, but his underlings (Joel McHale, Kevin Pollak) won't leave him alone.  Computer programmer Brad Harris (Black) is also planning his first Big Year, but has to work full time to afford the travel.

As the year kicks off, Bostick makes a vow to his new wife, Jessica (Pike), that birding won't consume his life... despite continually taking trips to look at birds.  Brad uses his mom, Brenda (Wiest), as a travel agent, while trying to convince his father, Raymond (Dennehy), that birding is a worthwhile pursuit.  And Stu has to decide what's important in life.  With the competition heating up, who will emerge victorious... and what will they lose in the process?


The film is based on the book "The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession."  Despite the big names in the cast, the film was not a blockbuster... and the actors are not playing their typical characters.  Jack Black narrates the film and serves as the audience surrogate.  He plays a toned down version of his usual schtick.  Owen Wilson is the character you love to hate.  And Steve Martin works well in a mentor-type role.  The rest of the cast is good in their roles, but the film's focus is Black, Wilson, and Martin.

An entertaining (although not in the traditional laugh-out-loud comedy tradition) film, worth looking into.

The Big Year (2011) 100 minutes
Director: David Frankel
Starring: Jack Black as Brad Harris
Owen Wilson as Kenny Bostick
Steve Martin as Stu Preissler
Rashida Jones as Ellie
Anjelica Huston as Annie Auklet
Jim Parson as Crane
Rosamund Pike as Jessica Bostick
JoBeth Williams as Edith Preissler
Brian Dennehy as Raymond Harris
Dianne Wiest as Brenda Harris