ftmcnally Review of Penguin Bloom

Penguin Bloom (2020)

A realistic depiction of the interruption a disability throw your way.

[8/10 · 15 February 2021]

I'm a para, like Sam Bloom in the movie. About the same level, too--T6 ,T8. But not as a result of the same sort of accident. I've been in a chair a little longer, going on 33 years now. I've found movies depicting disability of one kind or another usually contrived but this one was refreshingly not so and rang true to me. At least for folks like Sam and I with paraplegia. I have many friends that are quadriplegics, and they do not share the same abilities that we do. Despite that, dealing with a major disability when you have a family (I had 2 kids, ages 3 and 1 when my illness struck) is hard. Luckily family and a few good friends helped me move on, and so did my old Lab, Rocky, along with my love for the water and sports. So this movie hit home for me. Hopefully those who watch it will never suffer similar circumstances as Sam or I have endured, but if you live long enough you'll probably have someone close to you that will. The movie tells a good story about the hurdles and triumphs we all face at one time or another, If you find the movie boring, well, watch it again. In 20 years...