In the fall of 1988, Americans were captivated by the story of a family of gray whales, trapped in ice near the Arctic Circle. A nation of animal lovers waited with baited breath for daily reports, while a diverse team of rescuers worked tirelessly to free the whales from rapidly forming ice. At least, that’s what the makers of “Big Miracle,” a new family film that will appeal to all ages, would have us believe.

 

By Noah Gittell

 

In the fall of 1988, Americans were captivated by the story of a family of gray whales, trapped in ice near the Arctic Circle. A nation of animal lovers waited with baited breath for daily reports, while a diverse team of rescuers worked tirelessly to free the whales from rapidly forming ice. At least, that’s what the makers of “Big Miracle,” a new family film that will appeal to all ages, would have us believe.

 

Many of us (myself included) may not remember this story, which even found its way into the Bush-Dukakis presidential race, but it’s similar to any number of human-in-peril stories that are part of our nation’s lore, whether it’s a girl who has fallen into a well or a father and son (supposedly) trapped in a renegade hot-air balloon. What separates “Big Miracle” from these stories, and makes it worthy of cinematic adaptation, is that in this case people and organizations with conflicting goals and motivations came together for the smallest of causes on the biggest stage possible.

 

The filmmakers wisely cast two very likeable actors as the leads and entry points into the story. John Krasinski of TV’s “The Office” plays Adam Carlson, the small-time Alaskan news reporter who stumbles onto the story. Word quickly spreads to the local Greenpeace staffer, Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), who, conveniently for the filmmakers, is also Adam’s ex-girlfriend. There are a number of unlikeable characters in the film (more on this in a moment), so the ample charisma of Krasinski and Barrymore is much appreciated.

 

As Rachel works to save the whales and Adam connects with national news outlets, a local oil tycoon (played with great aplomb by Ted Danson) offers the services of his company’s icebreaker to earn goodwill from the environmental community so he can open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling. Also part of this “cockeyed coalition” are: Inupiat tribesmen looking to make a positive impression and avoid government intrusion on their tribal lands; a throng of national reporters seeking to get in on the story; and a couple of mildly zany entrepreneurs from Minnesota who may have an invention that could make the difference.

 

The film may lack dramatic tension (even for those who don’t remember, could anyone expect anything but a happy ending?), but the story of adults working to save a vulnerable population will still resonate with the younger audience members.

 

For you grown-ups, the unusually dark philosophical subtext may surprise you. The filmmakers, to their credit, never shy away from the fact that saving the whales is, for many of those involved in the struggle, merely a means to achieving some form of financial success. In this way, the film paints a darker version of reality than you would expect. That none of the characters change much over the course of the film can be attributed to what can only be described as moral relativism.

 

There are no epiphanies in which characters drastically change their perspective on the issue. The lone moment of revelation is between Danson and Barrymore, when each one realizes the other is not quite as awful a person as they’d thought.

 

This is hardly a major insight, but it may resonate with contemporary audiences because of the political context. In addition to the references to the presidential election, a key plot point involves a decision made by President Reagan to ask the Soviets for help. When one character opines that perhaps this action will be the catalyst that thaws Cold War tensions, the film’s message could not be more clear: common cause can and recently has brought even the most bellicose opponents together.

 

In a country currently bitterly divided over political differences, “Big Miracle” sounds a note of optimism from the not-so-distant past. Parents may take their children to the theater expecting a diverting two hours, but they will get something more.

My rating: See it in the Theater