Big Miracle (2012)

In small town Alaska, a news reporter recruits his ex-girlfriend - a Greenpeace volunteer - on a campaign to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

Director:

Ken Kwapis

Writers:

Jack Amiel (screenplay), Michael Begler (screenplay),

Stars:

John Pingayak, Ahmaogak Sweeney, John Krasinski

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Pingayak	...	Malik
Ahmaogak Sweeney	...	Nathan
John Chase	...	Roy
Ishmael Angalook Hope	...	Bud
Othniel 'Anaqulutuq' Oomittuk Jr.	...	Inupiat Whaler
John Krasinski	...	Adam Carlson
Andrew Daly	...	Don Davis
Thomas R. Daly	...	Frank
Maliaq Kairaiuak	...	Dana
Jeffrey Evan	...	Arnold
Drew Barrymore	...	Rachel Kramer
Ted Danson	...	J. W. McGraw
Randy Eledge	...	Oil Man
Thom Van Dorp	...	Don Carr
Tim Blake Nelson	...	Pat Lafaytette

Storyline

An animal-loving volunteer and a small-town news reporter are joined by a native Alaskan boy to rally an entire community - and eventually rival world superpowers - to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

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Plot Keywords:

whale | reporter | arctic circle | small town | volunteer | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Everybody Loves Whales

Filming Locations:

Alaska SeaLife Center - 301 Railway Ave, Seward, Alaska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$7,760,205 (USA) (3 February 2012)

Gross:

$20,113,965 (USA) (30 March 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Anonymous Content, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Much of the footage for the film was shot in and around Anchorage, Alaska. The ice scenes were filmed at Beluga Point south of Anchorage, and several scenes which in the film took place in California were actually shot on location in the Turnagain neighborhood in west Anchorage: plants native to Southern California were used to dress the houses in those scenes. Real Alaska National Guardsmen were used to play the Guardsmen in the film.

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Goofs

When the Green Peace activist dives under the ice in a wetsuit, she has red thermal gloves on. While submerged and using her knife to cut away the net on the baby whale's fluke, her bare hands are visible. When she surfaces, the red gloves are back on again.

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Quotes

Adam Carlson: [Adam sits down across from Jill at a restaurant; looks at the menu] I usually get the breakfast burrito, which is fantastic... but the pile o' pancakes with a side of ham steak is tempting. What do you think I should get?
Jill Jerard: The name of a good cardiologist?

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Crazy Credits

During the credits, on the left side are scenes from the movie characters and on the right side, archive footage of the real people.

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Connections

Features Larry King Live (1985)

User Reviews

Great Family Film with Strong Environmental Message

Nine-year-old KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Anthony Aranda loved this film. Watch his video review http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrCf8veaoyU or read below what he had to say: "This is one of the best movies I have ever seen that is based on a true story. This movie is really awesome because there were so many people that came together to save three whales. It was really heart-breaking because a lot of people put their own lives in danger to save the lives of the whales. This movie is all about Adam and Nathan who are out and see three whales that are trapped under the ice and can't find their way to the ocean. There is a small hole that the whales keep using to breathe so first they try digging that whole to make it bigger. Adam's friend Rachel comes to help save the whales and do everything she can. She asks the governor for help but he says no so she tells the news about what he said. The governor then decides to help. They have to work fast because the hole keeps freezing and getting smaller and the ice leading to the ocean keeps freezing over making the distance even longer. Some of the main characters in the movie are Adam, Rachel, and Nathan. My favorite character is Nathan because he is such a funny character at first and then he really starts to care about the whales. He also starts to spend a lot of time with his grandfather because his grandfather likes to spend a lot of time around the ocean and helps animals in need. My favorite part in the movie is when everyone started to dig the holes to help the whales breathe and get back to the ocean. I really like this part because it really shows how everyone cares about saving the whales and how much people love the whales. A part that was really funny was when the Governor had to help save the whales because Rachel told the news that he wouldn't help. It was funny to see him shaking the hand of a guy dressed up as a whale. I would recommend this movie for all ages because it is a really good movie. There are not any violent parts in this movie. This movie is a really great family movie. Go out and see this movie in theaters on February 3rd." Review by Anthony Aranda, age 9, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.