The Penguin Lessons

"I used to be young and idealistic," says Tom, a new teacher in 1976 at a boarding school in Buenos Aires, Argentina, "but I soon came to understand that reality is different." Blunt, hedonistic, and unsentimental, Tom is unmoved by any tales or facts of woe. He makes excuses for his shortcomings and inaction. Nevertheless, when penguins coated in industrial oil wash up on a beach and fascists seize power in a coup, Tom is in for a deep awakening despite himself.

Steve Coogan (Tom) and Jonathan Pryce star in this true story of wit, warmth, counterintuitive discoveries, humor, drama, and cute penguin antics. There is real depth to the dialogue, characters, story arc, and acting. The Penguin Lessons was filmed in Spain with an Argentine cast. Many of the actors lived through the recent dictatorship in Argentina and they add authenticity to the story. At the world premiere screening of the film at the Toronto International Film Festival I was deeply moved in the understanding that merely one person, or penguin, can make a big difference in the world in the face of such evil and tragedy.

Rise like lions after slumber In unvanquishable number Shake your chains to earth like dew Which in sleep had fallen on you Ye are many, they are few.

, - Shelley.

There's an old expression in show business that advises entertainers not to work with children or animals because they'll upstage them every time. But, while that's often true, it's not always the case, as seen in the latest feature offering from director Peter Cattaneo. This charming comedy-drama tells the fact-based story of English teacher Tom Michell (Steve Coogan), who somewhat begrudgingly takes an instructor's job at St. George's College, a prestigious boarding school in Buenos Aires, just before the 1976 Argentine revolution. The cynical, curmudgeonly teacher has moved around a lot, and he's not particularly thrilled at this latest stop, as becomes apparent in his classroom demeanor and overarching attitude. Not long after his arrival, when a military coup d'etat hits that overthrows the government, he decides to get out of town until the dust settles. He embarks on an impromptu vacation to a Uruguayan resort town, where he meets a beautiful, flirtatious woman, Carina (Mica Breque), in a nightclub. That encounter subsequently leads to a late night walk along the beach, but, while on this stroll, they find a penguin that's barely alive and covered in oil, a victim of a recent spill. To impress his would-be one-nighter, Tom and Carina take the bird back to his hotel to clean it up. What Tom doesn't realize, however, is that the penguin, who would subsequently come to be named Juan Salvador, has made its unwitting rescuer its friend for life, despite his repeated efforts to return it to the wild. It's a prospect the professor doesn't especially relish, but, upon returning to Argentina with penguin in tow, man and bird become the unlikeliest of friends, under prevailing conditions both at the school and in the country at large that prove threatening (but unexpectedly beneficial) to both. At first glance, one might think this sounds like a cutesy, schmaltzy, manipulative tale a la Disney, but far from it. The picture tells a sincerely engaging story of personal growth and the emergence of personal courage, brought about by the influence of an improbable feathered mentor in a tense social and political environment that has both Tom and virtually the entire Argentine population on edge. It's also a tale the defies the timeless cautionary adage about casting decisions involving both man and beast, with Juan Salvador being just as much a member of the ensemble as his human counterparts. Admittedly, the film has a little trouble finding its footing in the opening act, but, once it does, it's a delightful and touching release that's moving without being drenched in saccharin. "The Penguin Lessons" is also one of those movies that needs to be seen to be believed, as the trailer truly doesn't do it justice. Indeed, this is one of those heartfelt, uplifting stories that the world needs more of at a time when we could all use a little inspiration to help see us through the tough times.

8/10 STARS - The Penguin Lessons was AMC's Screen Unseen movie for March 18 and is based on a book of the same name by Tom Michell. Tom is an English teacher who takes a job at an all-boys boarding school in Argentina just as a military coup is beginning. At the start of the coup, he travels to Uruguay and comes upon a penguin that had been caught in a oil slick and washed ashore. He cleans up the penguin and then tries his hardest to get rid of it, even going so far as to throw it back in the ocean. But all to no avail. The penguin has decided that this human is its family and thus begins the sweet friendship between penguin and man. The backdrop of the story - the coup and resulting dictatorship in Argentina - adds a level of tension, but the heart of this film is about what the main character comes to understand about himself during his time with the penguin and how that journey of self-reflection helps him deal with his pain of past loss and his fear of speaking out on behalf of those in trouble. At the end of the movie, we see a short home video clip of the real penguin during its time there at the boarding school where Tom Michell taught. This is a sweet film with some underpinnings of darker themes, but nothing explicitly violent or sexual is shown. As a comedy drama, there isn't really any "action" to speak of, but that was okay because the story moved along well, the characters were interesting, and that darn penguin deserves an acting award for making me cry! It's a movie I wouldn't have gone to see on my own but I'm glad to have been able to watch it. Recommended. Short video review to come soon.

I will do my best to do this without spoilers, as it has not yet (I don't think) been released in the US. I saw this as a "sneak preview", so that is my assumption.

Had this not been a "blind" preview at my local theater (I have a movie subscription, so i see all my movies for "free") i would never have selected this movie for my watch list. But I'm glad i got to see it. (the chatter i heard from fellow viewers was the same - wouldn't have selected it, but glad I came).

The movie is set in 1976 Argentina, coinciding with the military coup that brought down Isabel Peron and began the plight of the "disappeared". While this is important in the events of the story, it is also peripheral.

The film is filled with closed off, broken people who are simply trying to live out their lives. Each of these people is changed by the penguin who unexpectedly comes into their lives. No, the penguin doesn't just fly in like an avian Mary Poppins. But is rescued by one of the characters who, through a series of misfortunes and miscalculations, ultimately adopts him.

The performances are mostly quiet, but not muted, and very good. Jonathan price settles into his role as the stodgy headmaster, not wanting to cause trouble or make waves, with the same intensity as his deceitful author/husband in "The Wife". Coogan is always good, charming in his discomfort with the world he travels through. But the penguin steals every scene he is in.

There are messages of standing for one's belief, the strength of faith, and shows how heartbreak can be uplifting, and tragedy can initiate joy.

No, this is not a movie that I would have gone to see (and i see everything) as the premise seems silly and slight on paper. But this was a worthwhile two hours. And while i left the theater in tears, i also somehow felt better about the world.

Not a bad movie. It actually had a plot which you can't say about a lot of movies anymore. Thankfully subtitles did not dominate. The penguin was cute. It dragged a little bit by the end. It would have been nice if they'd done some flash backs or something to give more context why the main character was the way he was for 2/3s of the film. Also I would have liked more time showing how the classmates bonded in the end. It was heartfelt and you could really see how the characters came out of their shells in different ways because of the penguin. I recommend this movie. It has a positive and hopeful message.