The Big Year

About The Big Year

The Big Year is a film released in 2011 that is based on the true story of three bird enthusiasts, each hoping to end the year as the record holder for the most bird species seen within one calendar year in North America. These individuals embark on a competition known as 'A Big Year'. This movie is a mix of comedy, family, and adventure elements.

Making / Production

The film is based on the book "The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession" by Mark Obmascik. It was directed by David Frankel and the screenplay was written by Howard Franklin.

Actors

• Steve Martin as Stu Preissler: Martin plays his role as the quasi-retiring professional who just wants to follow his bird watching passion perfectly and with a subtle layer of comedy.
• Jack Black as Brad Harris: Black, as the underdog in all of this, gives an earnest performance of a man chasing a dream.
• Owen Wilson as Kenny Bostick: Wilson plays the reigning champion birder, skillfully highlighting his character's very competitive nature.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The "Gilbert's Puffin Tours" scene was shot in Telegraph Cove, British Columbia.
• The bird calls and songs heard in this film were provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
• The rare pink-footed goose which Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson) identifies at the golf course was actually a specially trained bird from England.

Awards

The Big Year did not win any major awards but was nominated for 2: The Leo for Best Supporting Performance and the US Comedy Arts Festival Award for Best Actor (Steve Martin).

Quotes

• Stu Preissler: "Are you guys doing a big year?"
• Kenny Bostick: "Birds are these incredibly complex biological organisms that can actually fly thousands of miles using constellations... for navigation!"
• Brad Harris: "Boom! Rutgers's warbler, right there, what's up!"

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Theodore Shapiro.
• "Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen
• "I'm Pangry" by Broken Social Scene
• "More Love" by Tim O'Brien