'The Penguin Lessons' is inspired by Tom Michell's memoir about rescuing a penguin from an oil slick in Uruguay during the 1970s. However, it diverges from the memoir, presenting a fictionalized backstory of Tom, played by Steve Coogan, featuring a broken marriage and the loss of a child. The film expresses themes of loss and companionship in a tumultuous political context as Tom navigates his role as a teacher in Argentina. Coogan brings humor and depth to the character, though his co-star’s early exit leaves a significant impression.
As a young English teacher in the early 1970s, Tom Michell's adventures began with a rescued penguin during a tumultuous political climate.
Tom's character is deeply affected by his past traumas, including a failed marriage and the loss of a child, which adds complexity to the narrative.
The film diverges significantly from Michell’s memoir, showcasing a mix of humor and sadness through Steve Coogan's portrayal of Tom's life and his unexpected companionship with a penguin.
With the rising trend of penguin stories in film, there is a call for creativity in storytelling, even proposing a narrative viewpoint from the penguin's perspective.
Collection
[
|
...
]