The Penguin Lessons is a ‘poignant dramedy’ made all the more poignant, dramatic and humorous by the mere fact it is inspired by real events. Yes, an Englishman really did rescue a penguin from an oil slick in Uraguay in the 1970s and smuggle him into Argentina where he was working at a prestigious boarding school. And yes, the penguin did endear himself to many as a pet, school mascot, and confidant. And yes, that alone is enough to make The Penguin Lessons a heartwarming watch, despite some flaws in story and character development.
The film, directed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty, Military Wives) is set against the backdrop of Argentina’s 1976 political turmoil, and emits a bit of a Dead Poet’s Society vibe. Steve Coogan (Philomena, Stan & Ollie, The Trip) plays Tom Michell, a cynical and disillusioned Englishman going through the motions of life. He seems emotionally disconnected from the adults and students around him— until an oil-soaked penguin enters the picture. In the film, Tom helps save the penguin, eventually named Juan Salvador, to impress a date during a sunrise stroll on the beach. He doesn’t get the girl, but he does get the penguin. The flightless bird apparently sees something in Tom that Tom himself has yet to recognize.
Early on, I was half-expecting a Ted Lasso-type subplot when the school’s headmaster (Jonathan Pryce) informs curmudgeon Tom that in addition to teaching, he must take on the role of assistant rugby coach. That plot point goes nowhere. A subplot that does materialize revolves around Argentina’s Dirty War and the plight of “the Disappeared”— thousands of Argentine citizens seized by authorities, never to be seen again.
Despite being a bit uneven in tone and occasionally tinged with sadness and outrage, the heart of the story is sweet and charming. It showcases how the unlikely bond between a man adrift and a washed-up penguin sparked moving lessons about connection, community, friendship and self-discovery.
The film is based on the book, “The Penguin Lessons” by the real Tom Michell. If you stick around for the end credits, you’ll be treated to archival footage of the real Juan Salvador swimming in the pool at the prestigious— and still in existence— St. George’s boarding school in suburban Buenos Aires.
The Penguin Lessons opens exclusively in theaters on March 28. Running time: 110 minutes.