The Big Year

A film that is magically its own. Although the trailer lured me with the idea of a classic comedy, which was last seen here in 2001 (Rat Race), I ended up seeing something completely different... And you know what? I didn't mind a bit. Watching all those strange people, who seem to live in a completely different world and with whom even a walk from the entrance to the garbage bin would be a great adventure, was definitely something for me. Is this a film about morality? Well, yes, it is, but at least it's not imposing and more or less natural. The central trio is perfect, and I really enjoyed how Martin, Wilson and Black kept switching my sympathies from one to the other. The film celebrates human friendship as well as the beauty of nature, and it has a perfect soundtrack (both Shapiro's and the songs, lots of gentle humor and some naturally human scenes. I was definitely surprised. Definitely more than pleasantly. (10/19/2013)

I expected a much wilder and bolder ride from the trio of Owen Wilson, Steve Martin and Jack Black. The idea of birdwatching suggests that it could be a fun and, most importantly, original film, but paradoxically it is quite the opposite. The humour completely missed me and although the film comes across as light-hearted and unpretentious, I literally didn't laugh once. It's as if the film "just flowed." Weak. (04/05/2023)