Environmental feature / PSA

Global warming gets personal in “Chloe and Theo,” an environmentally oriented Dakota Johnson project that trends more toward public service announcement or after-school special than feature film.

Based on a true story, Inuit man Theo (Theo Ikummaq) finds himself far from home in New York City. He’s tasked with informing the elders there about the imminent ecological destruction that will end life as he knows it in the Arctic Circle. With Theo adrift and vulnerable in the big city, street urchin Chloe (Johnson) takes him under her wing and, along with her merry band of outsiders, vows to help Theo spread his message.

After an unsuccessful run at the United Nations decked out in a thrift store suit, Theo connects with Monica (Mira Sorvino), a character based on one of the film’s producers, Monica Ord. Taken with Theo’s gentle nature and simple, powerful message, Monica is willing to spread his story.

Ikummaq, as Theo, comes off as the only realistic and grounded character in the piece, surrounded by caricatures of New York street rats: Johnson, the quirky former junkie, her face unconvincingly smeared with soot, and André De Shields as the smooth-talking hustler Mr. Sweet. The climax is overwrought and cheesy, which doesn’t match with the quiet dignity of the Inuit man. He carries a profound and sage warning, but “Chloe and Theo” just isn’t the right dramatic package.

“Chloe and Theo.” MPAA rating PG-13. Running time, 1 hour 42 minutes. Playing: Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, Beverly Hills.