The Big Year (2011)

Two bird enthusiasts try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition.

Director:

David Frankel

Writers:

Howard Franklin (screenplay), Mark Obmascik (book)

Stars:

Jack Black, Zahf Paroo, Owen Wilson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Black	...	Brad Harris
Zahf Paroo	...	Prasad
John Cleese	...	Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Owen Wilson	...	Kenny Bostick
Rosamund Pike	...	Jessica
Steve Martin	...	Stu Preissler
Kevin Pollak	...	Jim Gittelson
Joel McHale	...	Barry Loomis
JoBeth Williams	...	Edith Preissler
Paul Campbell	...	Tony
Cindy Busby	...	Susie
Greg Kean	...	Computer Birder
Eva Allan	...	Birder's Daughter
Bill Dow	...	Dr. Paul Elkin
Barry Shabaka Henley	...	Dr. Neil Kramer

Storyline

In birding, a Big Year is seeing or hearing as many different species of birds as possible in a calendar year. Three men pursue the Birder of the Year title: Kenny Bostick, who's seen a record 732 in a past big year, Stu Preissler, newly retired, and Brad Harris, who narrates the story. Life gets in the way: Bostick's wife wants a baby, Stu's firm needs him for sensitive negotiations, and Brad, divorced and underemployed at 36, has an encouraging mom and a disapproving dad. They criss-cross the U.S. (including a trip to Alaska's westernmost island), follow migration patterns, and head for storms that force birds to ground. Who will win, at what cost, and with what rewards?

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Plot Keywords:

alaska | migration | storm | birding | competition | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Grande Ano

Filming Locations:

Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$41,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,251,884 (USA) (14 October 2011)

Gross:

$7,204,138 (USA) (16 December 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, Red Hour Films, Deuce Three Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steve Carell and Dustin Hoffman were both attached to star at one point.

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Goofs

After going to the Oregon Coast, Brad tells his mother he is on Highway 101, half way to Mount Shasta. Highway 101 runs along the California Coast. Mount Shasta is in the middle of Northern California, on Interstate Five.

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Quotes

Stu Preissler: [Sitting in a bar] Bostick saw snowcocks.
Brad Harris: I can't afford snowcocks.
Stu Preissler: Snowcocks are on me.
Brad Harris: I can't even afford this beer.

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits, photos of every bird found by the winner are shown.

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.14 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Come Fly Away"
by Jack Livesey and Jeremy Fisher

User Reviews

A nice surprise.

I enjoyed this film. Jack Black can actually act. Who knew? And Steve Martin hasn't done anything this appealing since "Shopgirl." It's got some funny moments, and at least two laugh-out-loud moments, but mostly it's a movie with heart. And Black's character will tug at yours a little. Beautifully shot and sharply edited. Lovely scenery and wonderful music. I hope this is still in theaters at Thanksgiving, because it would be the perfect family outing (after devouring the Butterball species). The audience in my theater enjoyed it and some even applauded at the end. Eight is an honest vote, though I was tempted to give it a nine.