Big Miracle
Dir: Ken Kwapis
2012
***
Big Miracle is a true story and the makers could have very easily have turned it into a huge 'based on a true story' schmaltzy affair. Actually, they did turn it into a 'based on a true story' schmaltzy affair but left in certain elements that you don't regularly find in family films. The true story of the trapped whales was more than just a group of people doing something nice, it was a huge political and tactical issue by government, business and organisation and not everyone did it purely out of the kindness of their hearts. This is the strongest element of the film. There are cringe-worthy moments where a major Oil baron and the head of Greenpeace share niceties but these are few and far between, indeed everyone is credited for what they did but there is no illusion as to why they did it but in the end of the day everyone likes Whales and it's all good. It's close to being over schmaltzy but relationships that happen in the film happened in real life, as did the sacrifice and effort. The script is at times quite horrible but for the most part it is universally entertaining and hard not to like.