Review of The Big Year (2011) by Deniseisgreat — 23 Oct 2011

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.