Not every movie can be, or should be, a blockbuster. We sometimes forget this in our mad rush to tally box office receipts, see flashy visual effects, and follow the latest memes on YouTube. We forget that sometimes all it takes to be entertained is a simple and involving story.
There has been a lot of speculation prior to the opening of The Big Year that the movie has been abandoned by the studio, that it’s terrible, has no appeal, and will die a quick death at the box office. All of these things may or may not be true, but I found it enjoyable. It likely won’t give you what you’re looking for going in, but if you keep your expectations in check, it may surprise you.
Granted, you’ll require some interest in the subject matter. The Big Year is about birding (not “birdwatching”, as enthusiasts will have you know), and the story is wrapped so tightly in that pursuit that you might feel at times like you’ve been tricked into watching a nature film. It follows three men, all taking on the challenge of a Big Year, in which they attempt to find as many different species of bird as possible, within the 50 American states, in one year. There are no real rules, and no prize for winning other than bragging rights. As one character says: “Only the Americans could take something like birding and turn it into a competition.”
Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson) is the reigning all-time champion, at 732, and he sets out once again in order to maintain his record, even if he has to be slightly sneaky to do it. Stu Preissler (Steve Martin) is a semi-retired CEO looking to challenge himself and get away from the pressures of business. And Brad Harris (Jack Black) is an underdog, holding down a full-time job while maxing out his credit to criss-cross the country on weekends. All of them, along with other birders, are very secretive about letting on they’re going for a Big Year, though I think if you saw somebody in Maine one week and New Mexico the next, you’d tend to think they were more than just a hobbyist.
So far so good, but what will eventually sink The Big Year – and I hate to say this – is its lack of edge. You simply can’t look at the stars of this movie, with their huge comic pedigrees, and not imagine that antics might ensue. That Martin will explode with a wild and crazy rant. That Black will break out some freaky air guitar or bird impressions. That Wilson will smooth talk the ladies. And yet they don’t. Each of them gives a fine, measured performance, as normal people engaging in this odd hobby. The experience has a lot to teach these characters, and there is a fair bit of drama here as well, equally well-handled by the leads. Improbably, it manages to work.
While the birds themselves blur together after a while, the other star here is undoubtedly Mother Nature, and director David Frankel frames the wilderness shots beautifully. The movie also benefits from a remarkably stellar supporting cast, including Brian Dennehy, Dianne Wiest, Angelica Huston, Rosamund Pike, and many more familiar faces.
Sadly, though, I fear The Big Year is just not flashy enough to gain notice, and that it will be viewed as so much bird poop. I hope I’m proved wrong.
Tags: movie review
About the author: David Raitt
David Raitt is a writer and lover of pop culture. He lives in Oakville. He has also worked as an actor for The Second City, and has written, produced and performed his own sketch comedy, including the Canadian Comedy Award-nominated ALL THE RAGE. Semi-retired from performing, he still teaches improv and communications skills to students and corporate groups through his association with The Second City. Check out Dave's website at http://davidraitt.com
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