Three fanatical bird-watchers spend an entire year competing to spot the highest number of species as El Nino sends an extraordinary variety of rare breeds flying up into the U.S., but they quickly discover that there are more important things than coming out on top of the competition.
What a waste that three of our finest actors are utilized as glorified bit players in such an instantly disposable comedy.
– Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 Oct 2011
fresh:
A very mild movie, but in the nicest sense of the word.
– Laremy Legel,
Film.com,
17 Oct 2011
rotten:
Unfortunately, these comic geniuses are kept caged by the wan script and direction. The best gag in the film is the opening title card; the best joke, a throwaway by a day player.
– Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct 2011
rotten:
Failing even to attempt genuinely humorous gags or scenarios, and incapable of conveying the thrill of its obsessive pastime or the majesty of the animals themselves, this feel-good male weepie remains comedically and dramatically grounded.
– Nick Schager,
Village Voice,
17 Oct 2011
rotten:
The result is an offence-free, mild entertainment in which everyone from cast to scriptwriter seems to be winging it.