‘The Penguin Lessons’ Review: Cuteness and Emotional Overload

If you would have to describe Peter Cattaneo’s The Penguin Lessons in a few words, it would be ‘cuteness overload’. The film, which is based on teacher Tom Michell’s memoir, tells the loveable and heartwarming tale of a friendship between an oh-so-cute rescued penguin and the grumpy, worn-out, but good-hearted English teacher in Buenos Aires (Michell himself). Don’t expect this feature to be another Happy Feet or My Penguin Friend. No, the fully fleshed (yet slightly predictable) characters and the in-depth story about war, loss, hope and healing are what sets this movie apart from other similar features. The work becomes more than a one-dimensional comedy movie because of those extra aspects. Instead, it’s a feel-good, multilayered and touching feature that will melt your heart like the adorable penguin Juan Salvador.

Despite becoming inseparable throughout the feature, Juan Salvador and Michell (Steve Coogan) their charming friendship starts much more turbulently. After finding the oil-soaked bird during an evening out, Michell reluctantly decides to impress his date by taking the penguin in. However, he’s soon left “without sex and with a penguin” – his words, not ours. Because the penguin has served its purpose – despite the outcome not being the one the slick teacher wanted – Michell wants to get rid of it. And the sooner, the better. However, no one can stay unbothered and impassionate by the slippery taps of penguin’s feet and Juan Salvador’s wiggles. Slowly but steadily, Michell changes his mind, and that’s when The Penguin Lessons truly becomes a delightful film.

That’s because both Coogan and his feathered friend get much more screentime from then on and grow closer. While for some scenes, Cattaneo (The Full Monty, Military Wives) and his talented teams used robot penguins or puppets, most of the time, Juan Salvador is a real live penguin. The animal’s authenticity, impact and cuteness spat off the screen, and the ‘ohs’, ‘he’s so cute!’ and big smiles from the audience follow every time he appears.

Throughout the 121-minutes runtime – which will fly by at lightning speed – the penguin becomes not only Michell’s close friend but also an emotional support animal/therapist, teaching assistant, a vital part of his life and school. While he has to keep the animal hidden for the stern and uptight headmaster Buckle (Jonathan Pryce), he’s certainly not afraid of bending the rules and showing the penguin the love from almost the entire school. The scenes where everyone opens their heart to the bird are the most soul-stirring ones.

Coogan also certainly has opened his heart to his co-star – or better said co-stars as two animals took on the role of Juan Salvador. During the preparations, he frequently visited the two penguins who would make their acting debut in this feature. The decision to spend time in advance with the birds certainly has been a blessing for this feature. The chemistry between the two unusual friends feels even more dynamic, captivating, and touching. Coogan gets also the chance to show another side. While he’s known for his over-the-top comedy and goofy jokes, he delivers much more reserved acting when his character is with the animal.

There are still the humoristic one-liners, but what comes through the most is the sincerity and compassionate but also grumpy side of Michell and the subtle, sincere and charming performance by Coogan (Greed, Despicable Me 4). His acting is right on the money, and he splendidly leads a solid cast. From Pryce (The Two Popes, Ronin) playing the jaded principal in an unwavering way to Björn Gustafsson (Alla utom vi, Clark) portraying Michell’s open, chatty and verbose colleague beautifully to Vivian El Jaber (Farsantes, Educando a Nina) delivering an emotional and clever performance as the headstrong cleaner and grandmother, they all add more character and personality to this feature.  

The overall wonderful performance gains even greater sincerity and relatability because this movie truly grounds itself by taking place during the Argentinian War in the 1970’s. The coups, the close-by bombings, violent kidnappings and the differences in political viewers – which even causes disturbances in Michell’s class – give the audience an aspect they can truly relate to. While putting yourself in the shoes of someone who does not want a friendship with a penguin is hard, we’ve all experienced war (either from close by or far away).

Marrying both storylines would have been tricky and peculiar, but writer Jeff Pope (Stan & Ollie, The Walk-In) makes Juan Salvador a beacon of hope for everyone at the elite St. George’s College. Therefore, he successfully combines the different plots in a beautiful yet slightly predictable way. In times of despair, uncertainty and fear, we all need something to hold onto, and who better than a penguin that will make you forget all the darkness outside because of the light he adds to your life?  

Like the characters in this feature, the world currently has to deal with severe political unrest. However, occasionally, a ray of sunshine comes through the dark clouds and The Penguin Lessons is precisely that. While sometimes the combination of the two different plotlines feels a bit predictable and uneven, especially during the later part, the perfect balance between humour and comedy on one hand and tear-inducing and moving scenes on the other and the central friendship turns the feature into a hopeful, delightful and full-rounded movie.

The Penguin Lessons is out now in cinemas courtesy of Sony Pictures