The Big Year
User Score
6.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 5 out of 33

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  1. Prantare
    Mar 31, 2012
    10
    Underrated movie.
    I kinda recognized myself in all of the characters and in the end I felt a feeling I've never felt before watching a movie. I was humbled and feeling nostalgic in some crazy way.

    I am not interested in birds at all but this movie was amazingly well shot, well directed and also the story was quite nice. I also felt as if the movie was really unique. However, it is not a c    omedy, it is more like a happy drama. During the whole movie I was afraid of certain things happening and the director fulfilled every wish and at the same time making it all so exciting. Great movie! And very beutiful scenes!… Expand
  2. DeniseIsGreat
    Oct 24, 2011
    9
    I thought the Big Year was great! Story was really well written, acted and directed. Subtle, adult humor - not the nonsense written for 12 year olds (no offense to 12 year olds). The characters were well drawn and likable. What a great cast - I love Jack Black best when he's not stuck in slapstick, silly comedies. He's got an emotive face and deeper acting ability than he's ever given a chance to showcase in some of the more shallow comedies into which the industry has niched him. If you ever saw his first hit - High Fidelity with John Cusack - then you know exactly what we've been missing from him in the last several years. Steve Martin is the subtle gem that I like best - similar to recent role in "It's Complicated." Owen Wilson was great as well. They're all funny guys and don't have to try hard to be likable or humorous here. I'm completely bewildered that this movie hasn't done better at box office. Everyone in my theater seemed to really enjoy it. I think they just promoted it badly - they gave fans the expectation of another obvious comedy instead of a movie done with more sophisticated humor than your average 12 year old is interested in, so the wrong people went to see it and the right audience has stayed away.… Expand
  3. siempre
    Mar 17, 2012
    9
    The Big Year is an excellent MOVIE. It does not slide into a category well and that hurt the marketing. So, three comedians who are very good dramatic actors make an old fashioned movie that combines a depthful story, some soft humor and a lot of thoughtfulness- try to put that in a trailor.It is a movie about choices, sacrifice and ambitions. See this movie!

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Kimberley Jones
    Oct 19, 2011
    40
    The Big Year's biggest disappointment is its inadequacy in elucidating the passion of the birder. What ardency, and what an exceptional, impenetrable world they move in. I for one wanted a better look at it.
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  2. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Pete Hammond
    Oct 19, 2011
    70
    The Big Year turns out to be one of the smartest and funniest films this year.
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  3. Tampa Bay Times
    Reviewed by: Steve Persall
    Oct 16, 2011
    83
    Frankel's movie is as refreshing as a walk in the woods and surprising as a chance encounter with the best that nature can offer.
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