2025 Movie
Dir. Peter Cattaneo · Spain, United Kingdom · English, Spanish
A cute, if a bit superficial, true story about a professor and his penguin
Sometimes, there are events so absurd that it must be put into cinematic form. This is because these unusual experiences can be necessary warnings or hopeful reminders about what life can offer. The Penguin Lessons seemed to be the latter, at first. It’s a cute story about a depressed teacher who saves and then continues to be followed by a Magellanic penguin, which becomes an instant conversation starter that opens him up to new people. It’s fun to see the penguin, but also, we’re not sure the protagonist learned anything about responsibility, considering the ending doesn’t come about because of his direct actions. In fact, there’s a certain lack of initiative that led them there. At least Tom starts to admit that to himself, but The Penguin Lessons could have had more to teach before ending so abruptly.
In 1976, as Argentina descends into violence and chaos, a world-weary English teacher regains his compassion for others thanks to an unlikely friendship with a penguin.
"This is amusing stuff, well served by Coogan’s knack for haughty composure in the face of the absurd. The film is less convincing, however, when it reaches into the realm of the tragic."
— Guy Lodge
Argentina, 1976. Disillusioned English teacher Tom Michell goes to work at St. George’s College, an exclusive all-boys school for rich, privileged, and unteachable kids. However, after rescuing a penguin, his stay in the country is turned upside down.
It’s based on a true story, so I guess the Argentinian context had to be there, but it’s really disconnected in a way that makes the history just feel like set dressing.
Did we really have to bring up Argentina though?
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
Comments