In recent years, the name of Steve Martin connected with a comedy is tantamount to a kiss of death, which is a shame considering the classics he’s given us over the years. Jack Black and Owen Wilson might induce similar trepidation for some, and so it is with a heavy heart that most will approach The Big Year.

It tells the story of three very different individuals who share a love of “Birding” (bird-watching to the uninitiated). Brad (Black) is an overweight loser stuck in a job he hates, who wants to make something of his time by doing “The Big Year”, a competition where people attempt to spot as many bird species as they can for an entire year. Bostick (Wilson) is the current record holder who cares about birds more than anything else. Which leaves the successful businessman Stu (Martin) who just wants a retirement hobby.

Despite initial fears, The Big Year is actually rather charming in many ways. The characters are genuinely engaging and there are truly heart-warming moments. Tramping around in the wilds looking for sparrows may not be everyone’s idea of fun but nobody could help but be caught up in their infectious excitement at the sight of some prized finch or other. The birds themselves play a minor role and are really there to provide a medium to explore the line between passion and obsession.

The sad fact is, that for a comedy, the jokes are distressingly thin on the ground. Aside from the occasional shot of Jack Black falling on his ample behind, the audience are left with only a handful of funny lines, which feel out of place and seem only to serve as a reminder of what could have been. Jack Black is utterly wasted, his comic delivery is among the best on offer today and yet has no place here. Martin likewise has produced some classic moments (although these days they seem to revolve around slapstick) but again, this film just doesn’t have the material for it. It plods sweetly enough through its 99 minutes, feeling harmless and enjoyable, but, ultimately, it simply isn’t funny.