Film Set in West Michigan to Premiere at Grand Rapids Film Festival

It's always cool when you get a chance to see your city featured on the big screen and soon, you'll have a chance to check out a film that was created, filmed, and set right here in Grand Rapids.

"Walter, Grace, and the Submarine" is the newest film from Grand Rapids-based filmmaker Noah Bashore.

When I first read the basic premise of the film and watched the trailer, I had the same thought that one Reddit user, crease 88, did:

Garden State 2: Grand Rapids

But, as Bashore responded, this film doesn't feature any manic pixie dream girls. Instead, the film tells the story of Walter Moore (played by Kyle Patrick) and Grace Nelson (Jessie Carl).

Walter is new to town, having grown up in Northern Michigan, moved to Detroit, and then made the move to GR. Grace grew up here and is ready to leave her life in West Michigan behind and move to Portland, Oregon.

As fate would have it, Grace and Walter meet up for a date and hit it off - shortly before Grace is planning to leave town. So the two spend a whirlwind few days exploring the city and having deep conversations about everything from their aspirations to their strange childhoods.

Watching the film as a person who lives and works in Grand Rapids makes it all the more enjoyable. I smiled as I noticed businesses and landmarks around the city.

When Grace learns that Walter hasn't gotten out and explored much of his new home, she's surprised - he says he's been to a lot of coffee shops and bars and "one Mexican restaurant." So Grace is insistent upon showing him the "touristy stuff" like the Blue Bridge and "The Big Red Thing".

You haven't seen The Big Red Thing?!? Well, you're not missin' out.

Eventually, though, Grace does take him to Calder Plaza to check out La Grand Vitesse. And what does Walter think of this beacon of our city?

It says so much and also nothing at all.

There's really only one actual mention of a specific Grand Rapids business and it occurs early in the film when Walter's roommate asks him if he'd like to join him and his friends for drinks at The Pyramid Scheme the following evening.

There’s also a brief shot inside and the menu of Two Beards Deli in another scene.

But, you'll also see them eating ice cream from Furniture City Creamery in a very funny scene where we find out that Walter may very well be lactose intolerant (which... Walter, my man... they have vegan options there.)

Overall, after screening the film, I was left smiling and feeling like I had truly gotten to know both Walter and Grace.

How to See "Walter, Grace, and the Submarine" at the Grand Rapids Film Festival

There will be one showing of the film during the Grand Rapids Film Festival. The screening will take place on Saturday, September 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Wealthy Street Theater.

Tickets are only $8, and I can tell you that it's totally worth it to see this film. Get your tickets here.