The Big Year

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The Big Year

PG

Released Oct 14, 2011

1h 40m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

100 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Three men find that they have come to a turning point. Stu (Steve Martin) faces a late-life crisis, Kenny (Owen Wilson) is in the grip of a midlife crisis, and Brad (Jack Black) is wallowing in a no-life crisis. Determined to kick-start their stagnant lives, Stu, Kenny and Brad decide to enter a prestigious contest. During the course of one calendar year, the three friendly rivals criss-cross North America in a quest to count more species of birds than anyone else.

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Critics Consensus

Though made with care and affection for its characters, The Big Year plods along, rarely reaching any comedic heights.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

The movie roams through its numerous picturesque locations with a pleasant enough grace, while Frankel adds just enough idiosyncratic musical and visual quirks to keep things interesting.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 27, 2012

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Andrew Pulver

Guardian

It's theoretically possible for laughs to be gouged out of this scenario, but you won't find them here: every move, every joke, every emotion is heaved lumberingly into place.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 1, 2011

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Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The Big Year is as glossy and inert as Martin's face, which these days seems to require more foundation than the Burj Khalifa.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 1, 2011

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

All three actors play their usual stock characters here.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 3, 2020

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Eric Melin

Scene-Stealers.com

The Big Year is completely predictable and full of way too many bird-watching montages set to inspiring music, but it's such an upbeat, cheery film that it's pretty hard to resist.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 23, 2012

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Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

If you can get past the obviously obscure subject matter, you'll find a really sweet film beneath.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 13, 2012

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hardy c

Very well done film with fine performances from some comedic heavyweights. But it's not laughs this movie is out for; it's a study in obsession and priorities in life.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/25

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Shaun K

It was a pleasant, character driven movie with a great cast. The perfect feel good kind of movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

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Audience Member

It’s ok I guess. The idea of birdwatching in a film was cool though. I think this film was overly cliche, and didn’t have any jokes that landed. The jokes it did rely on were like “look at how quirky is birdwatchers are teehee” which makes me wanna castrate myself. To give the movie credit, it told a feel good story and that’s all it had to do. With a pretty decent score as well. I could see myself watching this again in the future, as it’s not complex or anything and doesn’t force emotions out of you. 2.5/5 stars.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

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Audience Member

excuse me! I saw the ratings & was forced to bark. what was it, the fantastic cast, brilliant scenery or rarefied air & intellect that u didn't like poindexter? This is a fantastic movie with all emotions included plus ya get to learn a few things.. ahh, maybe that's what bothered the youngsters

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

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Maggie B

Unfortunately, you almost have to be a birder to appreciate this great movie. For people who don’t get it, I understand. Before I became enamored with birds I probably wouldn’t have either. Its like for people who have never seen a UFO as opposed to those who have, you just can’t comprehend the obsession!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/21/24

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Daniel d

With a cast like this you’d expect some laughs. Sorry to say, it was one of the blandest movies I’ve ever watched. I wanted it to be funny or even interesting. With these big name actors you’d think it would be one or the other or even both.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

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David Frankel

Director

Steve Martin

Stu Preissler

Jack Black

Brad Harris

Owen Wilson

Kenny Bostick

Brian Dennehy

Raymond

Anjelica Huston

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Synopsis

Three men find that they have come to a turning point. Stu (Steve Martin) faces a late-life crisis, Kenny (Owen Wilson) is in the grip of a midlife crisis, and Brad (Jack Black) is wallowing in a no-life crisis. Determined to kick-start their stagnant lives, Stu, Kenny and Brad decide to enter a prestigious contest. During the course of one calendar year, the three friendly rivals criss-cross North America in a quest to count more species of birds than anyone else.

Director: David Frankel
Producer: Karen Rosenfelt, Stuart Cornfeld, Curtis Hanson
Screenwriter: Howard Franklin
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Red Hour Films, Deuce Three Prods., Sunswept Entertainment
Rating: PG (Some Sensuality|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 14, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.2M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Dolby, SDDS

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