The Penguin Lessons

Based on True Story. Argentina in 1976 Realise date 17th April uK 27th April 2025

A beautiful lightly sugar coat film, based on the true story of an English teacher who travels to teach English South America, in his quest to escape from the heartbreak from his past.

His arrival at the upper class school, is immediately stained, with a metaphor of paint splattered on his new shoes, delivered from a paint brush that is being used to cover up a slogan of 'the people, against a fascist regime.' It's here, in the beautiful school setting that the darker content is pealed away, He inadvertently hears a conversation of two workers discussing the dangers of political dictatorship.

However, in his quest to procrastinate, he decides to travel a short distance in search of a night of fun and lust . But inadvertently ends up rescuing a penguin, who is destined to stay with him.

But who knew a penguin could bring such love and revival of spirit to our jaded teacher.

It is also, through his teaching of poetry, that brings a rebirth of his youthful idealism of morals. However, it's the Penguin that forges a unique bond between teacher, pupils, and the community.

It's is at this point that we glimpse into the dark undercurrent of political surveillance, as lurks in every shadow, waiting to pounce on any slightly radical who passes by. Never to be seen again.

In this case, it's the slightly radical young person who works at the school.

Ultimately,i t's the penguin who takes the lead in breaking down barriers.

In this heartbreaking moment, there is a shated knowledge of how it is to be defenless, As in Pandora s box, there is always hope.

It's a reminder of strength of belief and the importance of community. Also, nature is the fascinating factor that bonds us.

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 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.

Coogan is stunning The story is touching The penguin is amazing A truly beautiful movie. Full of pathos and ethos.

So many lessons in one story.

Destined to be a classic This is what great storytelling is about.

I am hugely surprised that it dud not sweep the boards and pick up at least two Oscars Last week I saw Superman I was so looking forward to a movie with meaning, action and substance.

All I got was more banal tripe.

Then a week later I watched this movie about a penguin.

No special effects.

No selling video games or 'genres' Just a simply story well told.

It is so sad that this kind of quality is becoming as rare as penguin in a pool

Splash out. See it. Smile.