The Big Year

In the world of ornithology, three men embark on a quest for greatness, driven by their passion for birdwatching and a shared pursuit of the coveted Big Year record. Brad Harris (36), a computer programmer from Baltimore, is joined by Stu Preissler, founder and CEO of his eponymous New York-based company, and Kenny Bostick, the reigning champion with an impressive count of 732 birds.

Bostick's unwavering dedication to his record has earned him a reputation for ruthlessness, much to the dismay of his third wife, Jessica. She hopes this Big Year will be the one where they focus on starting a family, rather than perpetuating the cycle of heartbreak that has followed each of Bostick's previous marriages. His competitors have come to view his name as a curse word, a symbol of the cutthroat tactics he employs to protect his title.

Brad, meanwhile, is a talented birder who can identify species solely by their songs and is desperate for a sense of purpose. Living with his parents after a failed marriage and aborted career at Dell, he sees the Big Year as an opportunity to prove himself and earn the respect of his father. His current job maintaining nuclear power plant software in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, has left him feeling unfulfilled.

Stu, on the other hand, is a successful entrepreneur who built his Manhattan-based chemical conglomerate from scratch. With retirement beckoning, he wants to leave the company in capable hands and pursue his lifelong dream of a Big Year with the full support of his architect wife. However, his two lieutenants continue to summon him back to New York for crucial meetings, leaving him feeling trapped by his own success.

As the three men embark on their competitive journey, they face various challenges and setbacks. Brad forms an unlikely friendship with Stu, who offers valuable guidance and support in the quest for the record. Brad's attention is also drawn to Ellie, a fellow birder who shares his passion for birds. Meanwhile, Bostick resorts to underhanded tactics to boost his count, often at the expense of his competitors.

Throughout their Big Year adventure, these three men must navigate the cutthroat world of birdwatching, where the stakes are high and the competition is fierce. Will they emerge victorious, or will the pressures of the pursuit take a toll on their relationships and personal lives?

As the calendar flips to a new chapter, Stu settles into a life of quiet contentment, surrounded by the joy of his newborn grandson's first whispers. Meanwhile, Brad forges a deeper connection with Ellie, as their bond takes flight amidst the symphony of nature. For Bostick, however, the winds of change bring only solitude, his heart heavy with the weight of his recently departed wife.

As Stu and Brad reflect on the fruits of their laborious endeavors, they share a moment of camaraderie, toasting to "a very big year" - one that saw them both cross paths with over 700 species of feathered friends. But as the dust settles and the final tallies are revealed, Bostick's relentless pursuit of avian excellence yields a stunning result: 755 sightings, a new benchmark for the ages. Brad claims second place, while Stu settles into fourth, his eyes aglow with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

In this moment of triumph, Brad pauses to gaze upon Ellie, her presence a poignant reminder that there's more to life than mere checklists and species counts. As he does so, Stu's thoughts turn to his wife, their love as unwavering as the sunrise that greets them each morning.

The curtain closes on this cinematic tale with Brad and Ellie embarking on a birding adventure of their own, the rugged coastline serving as a backdrop for confessions and new beginnings. Stu, meanwhile, is hiking through the Rocky Mountains, his tiny grandson by his side, already demonstrating a keen eye for the natural world. And Bostick? He finds himself alone in China, lost in thought as he watches a happy couple stroll hand in hand, their newborn child nestled snugly between them - a poignant reminder that even the most ardent bird enthusiasts must eventually confront the bittersweet beauty of life beyond the birding binoculars.