Inspired by real-life events that gripped the US media back in the 1980s and set towards the end of Ronald Reagan’s Presidency, Big Miracle is the story of a family of grey whales that become trapped under the Alaskan ice.
Adam Carlson (John Krasinski) is a likeable journalist who loves everything to do with the news. However it is not until the story of his life lands in his lap that his passion gets the recognition it deserves. It isn’t long before the plight of the grey whales hits the national news, and creates the backdrop for this family tale of hope within human kindness.
Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), Carlson’s ex-girlfriend and Greenpeace fanatic ensures that the plight of the whales achieves national status. However the life of the whales rests in the hands of oil tycoon J.W. McGraw (Ted Danson), and whether the national guard are able to get his Icebreaker to Barrow in time.
The cast, all with their own individual reasons for being in Barrow, represent disparate groups of society that must grow together to realise their common goal of the saviour of these majestic giants of the sea.
Krasinski, better known as Jim from the American Office, was nothing extraordinary but handled his role as the clean cut reporter admirably. Much less can be said for Barrymore who was underwhelming at best, and created little sympathy for the Greenpeace cause that Rachel represented. This is especially notable when compared to Danson who stood out as J.W. providing a character progression full of comedic timing.
Where Ken Kwapis, as director, excels, is with his deft touch over subject matter that it could be very easy to be overly clumsy and heavy handed with. Keeping the story moving whilst balancing the differing goals of a family orientated yet inherently sombre film.
This feat is enhanced when considering some of the adult concepts that are contained within its remit: the conflict between America and Russia; the modernisation of an ancient civilisation; and the clash of opposing ideals of Greenpeace and big oil.
All in all this was a film that was inherently nice, even ‘heart-warming’ at times, however it doesn’t stand out as anything particularly memorable.
Expertly written piece, all in all a classic paul baker piece