Is This a Review of Whalefall ? We Had some Freaks of the Deep Show up for Burbank AMC 16 Dolby Whalefall Night. So Maybe this isn't a review. It was already a given that we as certified SCUBA Divers were going to be all in.
Blog: This More of an Opinion on how Art, Life and Bizarre Coincidence can draw emotions out in unexpected ways ?
If you are a Diver or Interested in Sealife, Horror and or Ghost Stories, See Whalefall. The Story and Acting are Supreme and this film was made locally. See it soon ! See it on the Big Screen.
This a Review from Someone who has personal experience with losing someone who died from ( End of Life Choice ) Terminal Lung Cancer and Who was a well known diver in his Community.
Hollywood Divers has a deep connection with this Film. Hollywood Divers Worked Closely in many aspects of this Production. Many Gear Rentals, Gas Fills, Equipment Purchases and Training the Lead Actor, Austin Abrams, to Dive.
We Enjoyed Working with Austin and helping in any way we could with props, safety gear and support for crew.
Austin Abrams Character is Fighting for his Life for Most of the Film and broke the record for any film where an actor had to perform at length while breathing from SCUBA.
The Josh Brolin character, Mitt Gardiner, in Whalefall is a brash, concerned and overbearing father who probably wanted his son Jay Gardiner ( Played by Austin Abrams ) to be the rock star that he never was. Mitt unfortunately is afflicted with Mesothelioma, a relentless form of terminal lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Wet Coughing, Wheezing and Bloody Expulsions plagued Mitt throughout the film.
This Film isn't supposed to be so much about Mitt Gardiner as is it is his son, young Jay. Mitt and Jay are Dive ( Buddies ).
It is time for Jay to go forth, develop his own identity and escape Mitt's Grip. Jay has a limited time window to move away and miss out on all the developing hard emotional hurdles his family will soon face.
Jay Moves away, which liberates him from emptying more bags of crushed Pabst Blue Ribbon Cans and incoherent lectures about how he needs to toughen up.
Jay was introduced to diving by his Dad, goes away to grow up ! He becomes old enough to recognize Dad has been holding him back. He takes off to find himself. He has very little contact with his Dad afterwards. Until he is swallowed whole by a Massive Sperm Whale !
Mitt Sinks into Pity and Loathing, not being able to Dive or Work in his Monterey Dive Haven, Jay doesn't look back. He was finally relieved of the badgering and the scrutinizing machismo of life under Dad.
Mitt Dies on the Bottom in the Cold Green of Monastery Ledge. Not by accident but by Choice. While he Can Still Stand, Drink, Wipe his own Ass and Draw Another Slimy Breath Without the use of an Oxygen Feed. He Makes his Last Weighted Descent.
Jay is Miles away. He Senses that his Dad is Gone.
Cut to Burbank, Real Life - Movie Night with Friends of Hollywood Divers.
I was sitting in the AMC 16 with a Group of good friends and customers from Hollywood watching Mitt's Fictional Death when I realized this Film was about to deliver an eerie parallel. Our own Journey Through a similar predicament.
Bill Strong, our former partner at Hollywood Divers was also a bit of a local diving legend. Bill who was not anything like Mitt ( he preferred Corona ) and was a happy go lucky sort of fellow , No Kids. Traveled the World Diving. 99% Smile !
Bill had already faced cancer at the young age of 19 and had endured many low moments facing radiation, surgeries and Chemotherapy in the 1980's. You Never Would Have Known this.
In his early 20's Bill Strong was told by his Doctor he had "10 or So" Good years to live. Bill Surpassed that Prediction and Lived to be 58 Years Old.
Later in his life, The Wet Cough that Bill Developed slowly During 2018 and 2019 was not exactly Mesothelioma but it would aggressively intrude into and overlap the Covid Spiral of 2020 and 2021. Bill was not a smoker.
While I watched the scene in Whalefall where main character, Jay Gardiner has decided to get a Tank Fill from his Dad's favorite Monterey Dive Shop. I became smaller in my seat , While Jay up on the Screen was denying that he knew the Man in the Picture on the wall in that dive shop scene,
I was Lost in my own thoughts of our now Deceased Hollywood Divers - Bill Strong and how I knew the props department had taken several of the large prints of Bill Strong for set Dressing to be placed into this scene in the Movie. We Don't see Bill's Picture on Screen as the Background is Blurry but I know he was there.
I am not sure I can convey the feeling I had watching this film, and Especially this scene. Lots of Coincidence. A picture on the wall, on the wall of a dive shop, a picture of a lead character, a deceased lead character, who died by his own choice, before he may have become a burden. The Lead Character who suffered from a terminal Lung Disease. Knowing that Bill Strongs Picture was also on that set and all those things he also experienced.
"Did You Know Him" ? The Tank Fill Technician asked Jay, "He Saved My Life"
Whether You Knew Bill or Not you Should See Whalefall. Take Your Dive Buddy with You. The Movie is about Diving, California, Adventure, Overcoming Adversity and Relationships with loved Ones. You May have seen this Picture of Bill on our wall at Hollywood Divers and maybe when you see Whalefall you will also feel Mister Strong in the Theatre with you.
Cheers ! This film is a Wild Wild Ride ! See Whalefall ASAP !
THE NEXT BOAT TRIP IS THE SPECTRE ON OCTOBER 30 ! IT IS SOLD OUT AND HAS A WAITING LIST. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE THE NEXT ONE.
LA PAZ MX TRIP NOVEMBER 8TH TO 15TH
We may do this trip again in 2027 it has been one of the most popular short flight trips that we have done. Looking forward to seeing all who have signed up in La Paz. Hoping for more Hammerheads this Year !
Do you need Regulator Service ? Call us 323 969 9666
Do you have old gear laying around the garage ? Don't throw it away. Bring it to us. We will find a use for it.
Drysuit Training Let's get ready for when the Ocean Temps return to Normal California Temperatures. Or If you want to Dive on the Local Boats while out in the Rain or Drizzle, the Drysuit is the way to remain warm between dives. Water Temps are Still in the Mid 60's to low 70's .
Hollywood divers - info@hollywooddivers.com
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