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Movie Review: “Big Miracle”

Paul Kalis

Adam Carlson (John Krasinski), an Alaskan news reporter, gets his big break when he discovers that a family of majestic gray whales is trapped underwater by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. Soon, other journalists, government officials, and oil tycoons make Alaska their next stop. This includes Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), an animal-loving volunteer and outspoken environmentalist, who just happens to be Adams ex-girlfriend. With the ice continuing to expand, Rachel and Adam rally Inuit natives, oil companies, and the Russian and American militaries together during the Cold War to free the whales.

“Big Miracle” is based on a true story as depicted from Tom Roses’ 1989 book, “Freeing the Whales” about Operation Breakthrough, the 1988 international effort to rescue gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska. Warner Bros. bought the screenplay in April 2009, and filming began in September 2010. It’s a very touching story; who wouldn’t be amazed to see people from different countries in war uniting to save endangered animals? Plus, it’s got Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski in it. However, the film, which had a budget between $30 and $40 million, only took in approximately $8.5 million on opening. Similar movies, such as 2011’s “Dolphin Tale,” about a dolphin that was rescued and who lost her tail and was fitted with a prosthetic, faired better. Both titles are based on true stories, so the audience already knows what is going to happen.

“Big Miracle” hit theaters nationwide on February 3rd, 2012.

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