Drew Barrymore finds 'Big Miracle' in human (and whale) tale: review (+trailer)
A classic save-the-whale story, 'Big Miracle' has a limp, by-the-numbers execution, despite its solid lineup of actors, including Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski.
Drew Barrymore (r.) as animal-loving volunteer Rachel Kramer offers comfort to a trapped whale in the rescue adventure ‘Big Miracle,’ based on a true story in Alaskan waters.
Universal Pictures
If you're old enough, you probably remember the saga of three whales – nicknamed Fred, Wilma, and Bam Bam – who were trapped in Alaskan waters in 1988. The international efforts to free them dominated the news for a few weeks, not merely because it was a timely environmental human (and whale) interest story, but because the joint American/Soviet efforts were symbolic of the disintegration of the cold war.
Skip to next paragraph-
Think you're a film buff? Take our movie trivia quiz!
- Drew Barrymore and Justin Long star in 'Going the Distance'
- Review: 'He's Just Not That Into You'
In this dramatization from director Ken Kwapis ("Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird"), the irresistible Drew Barrymore plays an always uncompromising, sometimes irritating Greenpeace agitator; John Krasinski is a local TV reporter who breaks the story. (A subplot about their romance feels like a halfhearted, demographically contrived add-on.)
Stephen Root, Ted Danson, Dermot Mulroney, and other familiar faces lend their support, but it's not enough to overcome the limp, by-the-numbers execution. The film comprises innumerable expository scenes, leavened with uninspired comic relief. Grade: C- (Rated PG for language.)
These comments are not screened before publication. Constructive debate about the above story is welcome, but personal attacks are not. Please do not post comments that are commercial in nature or that violate any copyright[s]. Comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence will be removed. If you find a comment offensive, you may flag it.