There exists a brand of comedy that doesn’t aspire to induce laughter, but rather to make its audience chuckle and take a moment for a little shallow reflection. Typically the films are targeted at an older demographic: retirees, empty nesters, or anyone entering into that stage of life where they have the times, means, and maturity to pursue the passion their hard work made them forego. It’s in this very safe avenue of comedy that The Big Year resides, telling the story of three men sharing a passion for ornithology, and the differing levels of commitment they can offer it in the face of life’s larger moments. Some people have the luxury of giving themselves entirely to their passion while still managing to make a living out of; but that’s not to say it doesn’t come without a price. The Big Year, though obvious and simplistic in its story, offers a little bit of food for thought, but fails rather mightily when it comes to comedy. If you were hoping for classic Steve Martin humor, The Big Year is a big letdown.
Stu Preissler (Martin) has spent the better part of his life taking his company from a small start-up to a huge corporation on the verge of a business deal, but that’s not where his heart lies anymore. For years he’s wanted to pursue his passion of bird-watching and compete in “The Big Year” an annual competition amongst similarly minded enthusiasts to see as many different species of birds as he can in one year. For Stu, this is that year, and maybe, just maybe, with the help of his new equally inclined friend Brad (Jack Black), he’ll be able to beat the record of reigning champ Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson) whose record is considered untouchable by almost everyone –except Kenny. Fully aware of the ambition a “Big Year” requires, Kenny surveys the field of bird watchers to suss out whether anyone is trying to beat his record, and it’s not long before he figures out Stu and Brad are in it to win it. To defend his title, Kenny forsakes all his other responsibilities, including his girlfriend, and starts a “Big Year” of his own. Can Stu and Brad match the cunning of Kenny and win the day, or will their responsibilities to their work and families deter them from their single-minded goal?
To the credit of The Big Year, the resolution isn’t the expected saccharine, feel-good ending but instead requires something of the characters in terms of growth. It isn’t much growth, and their journeys aren’t particularly well-written, but it’s more than most will expect from a story whose others plotpoints offer few surprises. The true disappointment comes in when you consider that The Big Year is a film starring three comedians whose ability to elicit a laugh remains locked up behind tepid comedy that tries too hard to be easily accessible and inoffensive. The Big Year’s script displays plenty of passion for bird watching, and for many it’s a new world that will offer something new, but its love for the chase overshadows anything else. The characters are likeable and the story just compelling enough to watch all the way through, but even with all that the characters learn about themselves in the process, it feels hollow. There’s no cuckoo at the heart of this ticking clock. Or something.
The Big Year isn’t a film that people can feel strongly about in either way, but it is an entirely safe, inoffensive, harmless romp that will pass the time on a quiet Saturday night with Grandma.
Blu-ray Bonus Features
The combo set includes the film on Blu-ray, DVD, and as a digital copy. On the Blu-ray you’ll find such extras as deleted scenes, a lukewarm gag reel, and a quick featurette where Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Own Wilson sit down to discuss the film, joke around (which is funnier than the film as a whole), and comment on the production process.
"The Big Year" is on sale January 31, 2012 and is rated PG. Comedy, Drama. Directed by David Frankel. Written by Mark Obmascik, Howard Franklin. Starring Jack Black, Owen Wilson, Steve Martin.
