"Big Miracle" is a whale of a tale that rings of sentimental nostalgia and is schmaltzy enough to bring a tear to anyone who's ever owned a pet.
This family friendly film is based on the true story that unfolded on national television in 1988. Three whales -- dubbed Fred, Wilma and Bamm-Bamm -- get trapped five miles from the ocean as ice in northern Alaska freezes faster than usual. Without assistance, the three whales will die when the last hole in the ice closes.What starts out as a human- interest story on network news turns the whales into international celebrities. Armies of reporters and people wanting to save the trio travel to the remote city of Barrow, Alaska. The main allies of the whales are a spunky member of Greenpeace, Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), and an ambitious TV reporter who first reports on the trapped trio, Adam Carlson (John Krasinski). The pair have a history that also gets played out during the rescue efforts.On the other side are big business, a President Ronald Reagan administration looking for good public relations and Alaska natives who see the impending disaster in logical terms.The approach by director Ken Kwapis is formulaic. He mixes heavy emotional scenes with bright flashes of humanity and hope and takes the whales -- and those around them -- on a journey. Characters who appear to be villains -- such as the oil baron played with much gusto by Ted Danson -- go from heartless to helpful as they get drawn into the story.The transitions are big and loud. There's nothing subtle about "Big Miracle" -- from the pounding ecological message to the dastardly deeds of big business.The acting is generally over-the-top, except for the likable Krasinski. Such films always need a nice guy to lead the way. He's the 21st century answer to Dean Jones, who starred in these kind of family friendly movies from Disney in the '50s and '60s.Despite a simplistic structure and the melodramatic acting, "Big Miracle" works because it goes directly for your heart. It latches your emotions to three whales and lets them pull you into this story of compassion vs. compensation.