Talk:The Squid and the Whale

Named after diorama?

I haven't seen this film, but my understanding is that it is set in the 1980s, which considerably predates the installation of the squid and sperm whale installation at AMNH. Wouldn't this be an anachronism? Or does the film just refer to the broad concept of a squid and a sperm whale struggling together, which goes back as far as Jules Verne?--Pharos 05:03, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

The film mentions the exhibit explicitly, the protagonist describes seeing it when he was a young child, and then he goes to see it, and the movie show it in the final scene. So it's not a vague literary device or a reference to the general concept of squids fighting whales. It's a reference to that particular exhibit (OK, well it might also be a literary device).

As for whether it's anachronistic, well, I'm not sure when this exhibit started and when it ended (if it ever did). But I can say that I saw it when I was a boy, which was in the 80s, so everything seems about right to me. -lethe ^{talk +} 05:24, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

OK, that was the other alternative I considered: that the exhibit was on display earlier but was put in mothballs at some point until it was reinstalled with the renovation of the Ocean Hall recently. Either that, or it was never in storage and I just forgot about it somehow.--Pharos 05:36, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Just remembered, the sperm whale/squid thing's in Moby-Dick too (not that it's directly relevant).--Pharos 05:43, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

So I guess the cause of your confusion was that the exhibit wasn't there before the renovation, or at least if it was, you hadn't noticed it? When was this renovation completed, if I may ask? I haven't been there since I was little. -lethe ^{talk +} 05:44, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Oh, the renovated Ocean Hall opened about a year ago; it's really quite nicely done, with a very "immersive" underwater quality and a lot of fine new specimens. Overall, there've been huge changes since the 80s– especially the dinosaur/vertebrate section and of course the planetarium.--Pharos 05:54, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

I found a URL, but it doesn't say the age of the exhibit. Anyway, thought I'd share. -lethe ^{talk +} 06:04, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

this page makes it sound like all the dioramas have been there since 1969, though it doesn't mention the squid and the whale diorama by name. -lethe ^{talk +} 06:09, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, I'm sure you're right, and I just missed it before. I think I recall now reading in the NYT about some specific changes to that diorama.-Pharos 06:39, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

This issue may be the stuff of an amusing trivia question, but I don't think the credibility of the Story told in this film hinges on the reality of the Squid-Whale exhibit during the '80s.

For the record, I recall the diorama as having been there in the 1970s when I was a child. Daniel Case (talk) 05:51, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

Parallels with Annie Hall

When watching this movie I was reminded of Annie Hall. The way it's shot is similar, but also the scene in NYC's bubble tennis courts. Additionally, both movies use the word Kafka-esque. The rolling stones reporter describes sex with Alvy (played by woody allen) as being kafka-esque. This same word is used several times in the squid and the whale. One memorable instance is when its use highlights the older son's attempt at being an intellectual when he describes Kafka's metamorphosis as being "Kafka-esque." I think there are probably some other parallels, direct influences, and references that I'm not realizing. Obviously, this would be under trivia, but it is (as jeff daniels says)interesting nonetheless.

Fair use rationale for Image:The Squid and the Whale dvd.jpg

Image:The Squid and the Whale dvd.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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Fair use rationale for Image:Squid and the whale.jpg

Image:Squid and the whale.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 07:55, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

Wainwright and McGarrigle

Why are Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle discussed in such detail in this article? Is their relationship (and their children, and their childrens' careers, and who taught who what instrument) really relevant? 24.144.62.113 (talk) 02:36, 13 February 2010 (UTC)

Risky Business references?

"The film makes many references to Risky Business ..."

Huh? Other than the (very clever) use of the Tangerine Dream music there isn't a single overt reference to that film in this one. And I know Risky Business quite well. Daniel Case (talk) 05:54, 17 August 2010 (UTC)