MANILA, Philippines - Drew Barrymore embodies versatility, having added to her status as one of the film business’ most popular leading ladies by becoming a successful producer and director.
In her new movie, Big Miracle, she plays Greenpeace activist Rachel Kramer. Rachel is what you would call an extremist. She will go to any lengths to stop big oil companies from harming the environment, including showing up uninvited at meetings with a bull horn. When Rachel (reporter Adam’s ex-girlfriend) finds out about a family of trapped gray whales, she turns all of her attention to getting them freed.
Tell us about your character in Big Miracle.
“I play a woman named Rachel Kramer who is sort of a one-man army heading up Greenpeace in Alaska. My character is based on a real woman named Cindy Lowry. I spent a lot of time with Cindy before starting the movie and during the beginning of the movie. Rachel, my character, is a person who is very involved and educated. She does her research, her homework and will stay up 24-hours trying to get something done. She’s a person who has a lot of will to change what seems unchangeable and make the impossible happen. Rachel is stubborn and does whatever it takes in order to accomplish her mission. In this story, her mission is to save three California gray whales that are stuck in the ice in Barrow, Alaska.”
What part of this film connects with you?
“This reminds me of storytelling back when I was a kid and reading scripts in the ’70s and ’80s, when storytelling was fundamentally important. I like stories that have that great tone. It’s not drama and it’s not comedy. It’s this amazing historical event. It’s all true, which adds a whole other layer. It’s incredible.”
How was the scene where you had to jump into the water?
“I’m such a California girl. I definitely knew that I would be out of my element and comfort zone. I told Ken I’ll do this movie in shorts if it means getting to play this part and being involved. Jumping into the water was a level of cold that puts everything else in perspective. It’s so cold.”