2 weeks ago

'The Penguin Lessons' review: Sweetness of the usual feather

The unique relationship between animals and people is a territory often mined for cinematic fodder; the twist in “The Penguin Lessons,” based on the 2015 memoir by Tom Michell, is in the exoticism of both the animal and the setting, though the message imparted is indeed familiar. The standard heartwarming and humorous animal story unfolds as the penguin — eventually named Juan Salvador — forces Tom out of his grumpy, bored existence. “But when good people do nothing, I could punch them in the face.” Juan Salvador also becomes Tom’s way into bonding with his unruly students, wrangling their scattered attentions with the unusual animal. Juan Salvador forces Tom to connect with others, and through this, he finds his spine, supporting his new friends while they endure the turbulent and terrifying times of Argentina’s military dictatorship. Perhaps we don’t need the reminder that our personal relationships with animals are some of the most special and rewarding ones that we can enjoy as human beings, but “The Penguin Lessons” also underscores that our relationships with people are even more important and that sometimes animals are the best stewards for this particular journey.

LA Times
Animal Coogan Tom Penguin Cattaneo Juan Salvador

Discover Related