The Big Year

Beware of manic middle-aged men with binoculars; they can be obsessive and competitive, as exemplified by amateur ornithologists Stu (Steve Martin), Brad (Jack Black), and Kenny (Owen Wilson), who crisscross North America, from the Everglades to the Aleutian Islands, for 12 months in a determined effort to log the largest number of sighted species—all on the honor system. A ruthless strategist, Kenny is the defending world champion of birding, much to the chagrin of his long-suffering wife, Jessica (Rosamund Pike), who desperately wants to have a baby. Wealthy Stu is about to retire as a corporate CEO, but as his spouse, Edith (JoBeth Williams), observes, “If they ever stop competing, they die.” Specializing in identifying bird calls and maxing out credit cards, computer code–cruncher Brad is divorced and living with his parents (Dianne Wiest, Brian Dennehy). Formulaically adapted from Mark Obmascik's The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession, director David Frankel's film fails to make the most of the talented comedic cast. Mixed in with the tedious trudging and fanciful bird lore are a few inventive scenes (like when Stu closes a deal for his company by using the deceptive tactics of a nasty little feathered creature he particularly admires), but ultimately this is only a marginally funny comedy that fails to take flight. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an extended version of the film and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is “The Big Migration” behind-the-scenes featurette (19 min.), deleted scenes (18 min.), a gag reel (6 min.), the BD-Live function, and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package on Blu-ray for a so-so comedy.] (S. Granger)