Plot
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.
Release Year: 2012
Rating: 5.7/10 (1,476 voted)
Critic's Score: 61/100
Director:
Ken Kwapis
Stars: Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, John Pingayak
Storyline 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.
Writers: Jack Amiel, Michael Begler
Cast: 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
Filming Locations: Alaska SeaLife Center - 301 Railway Ave, Seward, Alaska, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $40,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: $7,760,205
(USA)
(5 February 2012)
(2047 Screens)
Gross: $17,605,685
(USA)
(19 February 2012)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The character Governor Haskell is fictional. The governor of Alaska at the time (1988) was Steve Cowper.
User Review
We liked it!
Rating: 6/10
This is a slow movie. Prepare to watch people standing around a hole in
the ice. If you think gray whales are a waste of time, you won't be
moved. On the other hand, if you can pull for a family of marine
mammals in danger of freezing to death, you will probably find
satisfaction in this movie's numerous charms. You'll enjoy the dignity
given to the Inuit people, environmentalists, oil executives, Soviets,
journalists, and even Republicans(!) who collaborate in dramatic
efforts to save the trapped whales. You'll appreciate the care taken
with a late 80's period piece, down to the silk blouses, big glasses,
hair, and Peter Jennings. You may even be moved by the warm and
unguarded performances of Drew Berrymore, John Kasinksi, and others.
It's possible you may have your heart enlarged by the uncommon efforts
of truly diverse people on behalf of beautiful and vulnerable
earthlings like the grays. There is an unabashed love for both the
whales and the humans portrayed in this movie, whose lives and futures
are at stake in a variety of ways. Some may regard this affection as
sentimentality, but the sense of humor sustained throughout the film
argues against this. Somehow I think the worst-ever portrayal of Ronald
Reagan was hardly unintentional. This director definitely has it in for
for Minnesotans, too.
My ten and thirteen year-old sons were engrossed by this true story
brought to the screen and gave it two thumbs up. My wife and I enjoyed
being unembarrassed in their presence throughout.
Simply as an introduction to Barrow, Alaska, the movie is totally
worthwhile.
My biggest complaint: Drew Barrymore's lips should be blue when scuba
diving in frigid Artic waters.
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