It's hard to resist calling it a whale of a story. In 1988, an aspiring TV news reporter named Adam Carlson spotted a family of three whales trapped by thickening ice in the Arctic Sea near Barrow, Alaska. Soon this supersized version of a cat caught in a tree was making headlines around the world. Environmentalists, oil drillers and Inuit hunters debated the merits of saving the whales. And then President Ronald Reagan and the Soviets got involved.

The widely televised event was recounted in a book by Tom Rose, who lampooned the media frenzy. But the movie version of "Big Miracle," as directed by Ken Kwapis ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"), is rounded, redemptive and refreshingly free of cynicism.

Adam (John Krasinski) is looking for human-interest stories to include on his demo reel when an Inuit boy leads him to a frozen bay and they notice a whale's water spout. Rapid freezing has blocked a gray whale father, mother and son from the migratory route that leads to the spawning site off California.

Soon after a network airs Adam's footage, the remote village is besieged by opportunists, including cutie-pie reporter Jill Jerard (Kristen Bell); Greenpeace activist Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), who happens to be Adam's ex-girlfriend; and publicity seeking oilman J.W. McGraw (Ted Danson).

To soften his corporate image, McGraw enlists National Guard helicopters to tow an ice-breaking barge to the site. Then the White House adds its endorsement to boost Vice President George Bush on the campaign trail, and the Soviets send their navy to monitor the situation.

Although it's a lightweight heart-tugger, "Big Miracle" distributes the reins to a full circle of interested parties who aren't simply heroes or villains. Even the Inuit locals, who range from traditionalists to profiteers, are depicted respectfully.

With such a large and likable cast, the whales are a relatively small part of the movie. But the wonder of "Big Miracle" is that their fate can make a cold-hearted audience blubber.

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"Big Miracle"

Three stars (out of four) • Rating PG • Run time 1:47 • Content Some strong language