The Big Year
Three fanatical bird-watchers spend an entire year competing to spot the highest number of species as El Nino sends an extraordinary variety of rare breeds flying up into the U.S., but they quickly discover that there are more important things than coming out on top of the competition.
Critics Sentiment
Brad and Stu conclude they got more everything despite fewer birds
Personal costs of the Big Year strain family relationships
The film rises significantly from the predictable family tension conflicts around the midpoint to the touching and meaningful conclusion about friendship over competition.
The Big Year starts modestly and maintains steady viewer engagement through character development and beautiful cinematography. While some found the premise and subplots predictable, the film builds to a genuinely touching conclusion that elevates the material with its message about relationships mattering more than winning.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 57
Steve Martin
Stu Preissler
Jack Black
Brad Harris
Owen Wilson
Kenny Bostick
Brian Dennehy
Raymond Harris
Anjelica Huston
Annie Auklet
Rashida Jones
Ellie
Rosamund Pike
Jessica
Dianne Wiest
Brenda Harris
JoBeth Williams
Edith
Anthony Anderson
Bill Clemont
Corbin Bernsen
Gil Gordon
Barry Shabaka Henley
Dr. Neil Kramer
Joel McHale
Barry Loomis
Tim Blake Nelson
Fuchs
Jim Parsons
Crane
Kevin Pollak
Jim Gittelson
Nate Torrence
Ted Simkin
Steven Weber
Rick
Zahf Paroo
Prasad
John Cleese
Historical Montage Narrator (voice)
Crew
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