‘The Penguin Lessons’ Review: Steve Coogan Makes a Feathered Friend in Sweet British Buddy Dramedy

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There are two things that can make any movie better: Steve Coogan and penguins.

It’s no surprise that the story in “The Penguin Lessons” showcases both its title subject and more, given its name. Indeed, there is at least one penguin in it, named Juan Salvador, but he proves to be quite sufficient. He is, without a doubt, Coogan’s most engaging on-screen companion since Rob Brydon in the “Trip” films.

In this version, I aimed to make the text more conversational and easy to read by using phrases like “it’s no surprise,” “given its name,” “indeed,” “he proves to be quite sufficient,” and “without a doubt.

Drawing inspiration from Tom Michell’s memoir, the movie unfolds in 1976 Buenos Aires, where our protagonist, Tom (Coogan), lands to instruct English at an affluent private school for teenagers. However, fate didn’t seem to be on his side as shortly after his arrival, Argentina experiences a military coup, leading to individuals mysteriously vanishing.

Tom remains unaffected by the chaos around him, as he swiftly prepares for a weekend trip to Uruguay accompanied by his colleague Bjorn Gustafsson. During their beach stroll, they come across an oil spill and the lifeless bodies of numerous penguins. Surprisingly, one penguin is miraculously alive. Eager to continue their journey, Tom nonchalantly remarks, “There’s nothing we can do.” He adopts a serious tone, “You can’t meddle with nature.

However, she pleads for his aid, and in an attempt to win her favor, Tom consents to retrieve the penguin and clean it up at his hotel room. Regrettably, neither this gesture nor his romantic intentions succeed. Instead, the penguin becomes persistent, refusing to depart even when Tom attempts to return it to the ocean. In a sequence of events that stretches credibility, Tom decides to transport the bird to Argentina and conceal him in his dormitory apartment to dodge the scrutiny of the strict headmaster (Jonathan Pryce).

It’s quite predictable what follows next. Tom, who has already shown his skepticism, unexpectedly grows fond of the cute Magellanic penguin (I must admit I learned this from the press notes). He puts in effort to get fish for its meals and even brings it to class as a learning aid. This, of course, captivates his students, rekindling their enthusiasm for their studies. And for Tom himself, who used to sneak off for naps during classes but now teaches with renewed energy.

The preview for “The Penguin Lessons” gives an impression of a light-hearted, possibly titled “The Melancholic Penguins Club”. Indeed, it maintains that tone, yet it aspires for something more substantial. A crucial plot point revolves around the abduction of Sofia (Alfonsina Carrocio), the granddaughter of school housekeeper Maria (Vivian El Jaber). She is taken from the street by government officials, right before Tom’s eyes, leaving him too frightened to take action.

Eventually, we uncover the heart-wrenching event from Tom’s past that had caused his cold detachment. After being touched by the kindness of his bird companion, he unexpectedly takes on the role of an activist. Using Juan Salvador as an icebreaker, he talks to one of Sofia’s kidnappers and ends up spending a night in jail, getting beaten for his efforts.

Despite struggling to harmonize its diverse moods, the movie, skillfully directed by Peter Cattaneo who’s well-versed in uplifting content (having worked on movies like The Full Monty and Military Wives), manages to keep you hooked from beginning to end. This is partly due to the intelligent script penned by Jeff Pope, a frequent collaborator of Coogan (as seen in films like Philomena and Stan & Ollie) and largely because of Coogan’s outstanding performance. His impeccable comic timing and delivery make the film genuinely hilarious at times.

The Penguin Lessons surprisingly touches the heart, making its emotional appeals easy to accept. As it concludes with genuine footage of Juan Salvador, the real-life character, swimming joyfully in the school’s pool, you will find yourself completely captivated by its appeal.

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2025-03-26 00:24