Big Miracle is my second movie in less than a week which is set in an Alaskan shit-hole. But unlike The Grey, this film is dignified, fairly interesting, and fun, even though it is very light fare. It’s curious to see how many good actors flocked to this little movie, even if it meant taking “nothing” roles; I think the reason for this is that there are so few opportunities to be part of movies that are not grey, cynical, postmodern downers. Whatever you think of Big Miracle, it’s not any of those things, and for this we should be grateful.

All the roles are decently written and acted. My wife remarked on how nice it was that the film resisted villainizing anyone, and featured a sensitive and dignified portrayal of the native peoples who want to kill the whales for food. Drew Barrymore seems a tad lost in her lead role, indeed she is an actress that in general seems more and more adrift to me (and I’m not sure exactly what she has done to her face either.) The other lead, that fellow John Krasinski, an actor that I have never liked, is actually pretty good in this film. I think he might be better suited to serious rolls – his comedy always leaves me very flat. As for Kristen Bell, well, my prophecy in my review of Forgetting Sarah Marshall that she would be stuck playing dumb blondes for the rest of her life seems to be coming true, but at least this roll is several steps up from You Again and When in Rome!

Nothing that special here, but it’s a fun and well done little B film.