The Big Year

4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (223 customer reviews)
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.
  • Starring: Steve Martin, Owen Wilson
  • Directed by: David Frankel
  • Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
  • Release year: 2011
  • Studio: Fox
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The Big Year

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Product Details
Synopsis: 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.
Starring: Steve Martin, Owen Wilson
Supporting actors: Jack Black
Directed by: David Frankel
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2011
Studio: Fox
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for language and some sensuality
ASIN: B0073Q0DZG
Rights & Requirements
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: October 14, 2011
  • MPAA: Rated PG for language and some sensuality
  • Production Company: Fox 2000 Pictures, Red Hour Films, Deuce Three Productions, Sunswept Entertainment, Dune Entertainment
  • Filming Locations: The Chief, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada | Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, California, USA | Shannon Falls, British Columbia, Canada | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Canada

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Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
(223)
4.2 out of 5 stars
See all 223 customer reviews
“ My husband has watched this movie a bunch of times... he really loves it. ” Robyn Swaim  |  69 reviewers made a similar statement
“ It was a very funny movie with a lot of great actors. ” laurenj  |  58 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 49 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars My new favorite movie January 8, 2012
By It grrrl
Format:DVD
I love birds, and thanks to my mom, my family has no less than a half dozen pairs of binoculars and bird books; we subscribe to Birds &Blooms, Wild Bird, etc. I saw a grand total of two previews for this movie, and got the book from the library after the first. It was a great book. The movie was better: a few details changed for a perfect ending, almost as many shots of the birds as the cast, who were wonderful in this film. My children enjoyed it, and I can hardly wait for my husband to see it. Had it stayed in theaters long enough, I would have gone to see it on a weekly basis. It is sad that there was so little buzz about this movie, because it was absolutely perfect in every way! The whole family can watch together, unlike so many movies released these days, and it is the perfect encouragement for backyard birders.
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84 of 97 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Big Birder's Box-office Bouquet October 17, 2011
By Harold Wolf TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
LOVED IT! LAUGHED! Admittedly I feed backyard birds year-round. That does not deter the facts that this is a beautifully documented birding film with enough outdoor vistas to fill anyone's nest. Great music too, even from a couple of those old Beetles guys. The story ("true story, only the facts were changed") is birds, and how many can one count in a year, i.e. A Big Year. It turns into an avid confrontational race between Brad (Jack Black) a nuclear power plant techie, Kenny (Owen Wilson) reining champ, & Stu (Steve Martin) corporate head who's trying to retire from success. Brad needs financial help from parents (Dianne Wiest & Brian Dennehy) since this quest is ultra expensive. Brad also, along the trail, gets the hots for peacock gorgeous Ellie (Rashida Jones). So did I.

Other family matters become sub-plots and drama in this comic race for the feather count. Kenny's wife Jessica (Rosamund Pike) makes any guy look the fool with her beautiful display as the beautiful birdhouse mate. Kenny dumbly leaves her home alone. Kenny tells her he's the "Mozart" of birders. Stu gets a bit more moral support from wife Edith (Jo Beth Williams) and he does have a consciousness about business and family and occasionally falls from the hunt. There are some slapstick adventures in the rugged areas of North America due to the gung-ho style of the trio on their "Big Year" quests. Also enjoy the in-your-face bird tour boat captain, Annie Auklet (Angelica Huston) in a rare performance of a different specie. Plenty of other stars too. Not to mention hundreds of beautiful birds.

This is a FOWL film, but not fouled with lots of bad language, nudity, or other lower intellect modes often used to get comedy to work. Expect humor in wholesomeness, and the great outdoors.... Read more ›
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36 of 40 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Big Rave December 27, 2011
By Fritz C. Kindberg
Format:DVD
First of all, I enjoyed the other two reviews, they've got it right on. My wife and I saw this on the big screen and loved it. The matinee we attended only had about 2 other couples in it, which was terribly disappointing. We enjoyed this film and the DVD is already purchased, awaiting arrival on release.

It is refreshing to go to a movie and not have your ears assaulted by too loud music or special effects. This film doesn't need either, it's a good story on it's own. I think anyone that gives it a viewing will say it was worth it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Go for the blu - extended version is worth it! March 18, 2012
By Angela
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
A friend of mine rented this movie, and, as soon as the credits were done rolling, I purchased my own copy. It is simply a delight! One of the best movies I've seen this year. If you enjoy movies about personal growth and/or that have any of the following: birding, nature, traveling, laughter, competitions, or if you just want to be entertained then give this a chance. I won't go more into detail here about it as plenty of other reviewers have done that already, just watch it!

I do want to highly recommend the bluray 2-disc set as it includes the extended version narrated slightly differently by John Cleese (on the bluray disc in the extras section), which is as enjoyable if not moreso than the theatrical version narrated by Jack Black. The extended version also has a gag reel and some other fun behind-the-scenes extras about the locations to which the production crew and cast traveled, and there is one more very small character's story woven in to the extended version of the movie...that of a ruby-throated hummingbird. The ruby's story is laced throughout the movie, and I think it adds a little extra bit of birding fun and fullness to the overall feel of the film. It's just really sweet.

Overall, see this movie, theatrical or extended version - both are great!
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun! June 9, 2012
By KDR
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
Three great actors, fresh subject matter (what other movie plot features a birding competition?), and touching sub-plots make this movie a winner. I even managed to learn a bit about birds! Great wholesome movie.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars WHEN WAS THIS IN THEATERS? June 2, 2012
By Armchair Critic
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't ever remember seeing this movie advertised, but I'm glad that I stumbled onto it while browsing Amazon's movie selections.
Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black pulled this one off.
I came across this while browsing movies, read the description and would have probably gone right past it after reading that it's about bird watchers. Don't get me wrong - I love birds, but bird watchers? Anyway, I noticed that it had a pretty good cast of actors that I like. So, I decided to watch the trailer - thus the hook.
I like comedies, and I like to watch them with my girlfriend. I convinced her to watch the trailer. She being a big animal lover, she was easy to convince.
We both loved it.
It's about three lives, three bird watchers, and the special people in their lives. It was funny, and it was thought provoking.
If you got family, this is a good movie to share popcorn and laughs.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Father's Day Gift
I realize this movie only appeals to some people, but it's perfect for our family. My dad somehow knows a lot about birds and no of the rest of us do. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Paul Timothy
5.0 out of 5 stars great bird flick=who knew!
IF you are a birder, you will LOVE it, if you aren't, you may understand that weird neighbor down the street just a tad bit better...
Published 13 days ago by David W. Yearsley
4.0 out of 5 stars 4 Stars
It kept my interest throughout. Quite a few famous actors that I haven't seen for awhile. I would recommend this for just about anybody.
Published 18 days ago by Ruthann Connolly
1.0 out of 5 stars Would give it zero stars if that were an option
What movie did people who gave this 5 stars watch? I was very depressed after wasting 1.5 hours of my life watching it - 1.5 hours I can never get back! It was AWFUL. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Cragman
5.0 out of 5 stars As bird watchers, we just loved it.
Good movie. Wish everyone had the funds to travel all over the country to see the variety of birds they did. Especially liked seeing pictures of all the birds that were seen.
Published 20 days ago by Theresa
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and clean
This was an enjoyable movie with a good point at the end. Great characters and decent acting. We enjoyed it without knowing a lot about birding, but it got us interested.
Published 24 days ago by Jeff Geissler
3.0 out of 5 stars Mild comedy?
It's what's known as a comedy of manners. It's a form of entertainment which makes fun of the affectations, habits, values and manners of our times through characters familiar to... Read more
Published 25 days ago by DTL
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie !!!!!!!
Very down to earth movie......I luv it, throughout the entire movie. I recommend this movie watching the extended version on the dvd, a lot of good info !
Published 29 days ago by 1969nam
4.0 out of 5 stars A Birder's review
I did like this movie. It was sweet even though I thought the acting lacked something. Steve Martin was the only one who cussed from what I could tell. Read more
Published 1 month ago by BoldAppealsMinistryPresident
4.0 out of 5 stars Light, fun flic!
Can't go wrong with Steve Martin, Owen Wilson & Jack Black!
Plus it's a peek into the quirky world of devoted bird watchers!

Enjoy,
Frame Girl
Published 1 month ago by Frame Girl
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