Dir. Ken Kwapis, USA/UK, 2012, 107 mins
Cast. John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Ted Danson
Review by Michelle Moore
Animal based children’s movies are always popular, especially if those animals are being rescued. First there was Free Willy, the story of a killer whale released from captivity. Last year we saw a dolphin by the name of Winter being rescued and aided with her swimming in Dolphin Tale and now we have three whales being rescued as Big Miracle takes to the big screen.
The film is based on the 1989 book Freeing the Whales by Tom Rose, which charts the international effort to rescue trapped grey whales in a hole in the ice near Point Barrow, Alaska in 1988. The movie focuses on the relationship between Rachel Kramer (Barrymore), a Greenpeace activist, and Adam Carlson (Krasinski), a news reporter, as they work together to free the creatures. As temperatures plummet below freezing, individuals from all walks of life: Soviets, Eskimos, Greenpeace activists, journalists, oil diggers and the public join forces to fight for the survival of these helpless animals.
As this is based on factual events, it makes the film that much more emotional. When things take a turn for the worse, feelings bubble to the surface and your eyes well with tears. The scenes that unfold as the movie comes to its final dramatic scene will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, as you wait for the climatic moment, and sigh with relief as the film concludes.
The movie’s finest performance comes from Barrymore. She has become known for comic roles, for example in 50 First Dates, Charlie’s Angels and Going The Distance. However here she is engaging in the more serious role of Rachel. Her acting abilities shine and really grasp the viewers’ attention. So much so that the viewer empathises with the character’s dedicated passion for the environment – we feel the very same emotion, passion and dedication. This is especially powerful, when the baby whale takes a turn for the worse, and during the concluding rescue segment, when the Soviets come to the whales’ aid.
Big Miracle is the ideal film to teach children about taking care of animals, especially those that are endangered. It explores how we must not take for granted the animals in the sea and how the willpower and determination of one individual can change the lives of many. Big Miracle is an emotional roller coaster that is well worth seeing.
- posted on 24/05/2012 00:25:44
