: A divorced "working stiff" and software programmer who can identify a bird by its song alone, but struggles to find his footing in his personal life.
The story centers on three men competing for a "Big Year"—a real-life birding tradition where participants attempt to identify as many bird species as possible within North America in a single calendar year. The Big Year
However, for those who appreciate a slower pace, the film is a "delightfully underrated gem". Another view on The Big Year | Owen Wilson | The Guardian : A divorced "working stiff" and software programmer
: The reigning champion and "villain" of the piece, whose hyper-competitive nature threatens his own marriage as he hunts for every possible sighting. Why It Works (and Why It Flopped) Another view on The Big Year | Owen
: A wealthy CEO on the brink of retirement, looking for a sense of purpose beyond the boardroom.
Despite a massive $41 million budget and a star-studded cast, the movie was a box office bomb, grossing only around $8 million. Its failure likely came from a mismatch in expectations; audiences expected the antics of The Hangover but received a lighthearted drama-comedy with a PG rating.