Inspired by a true story; an enchanting adventure about a lost penguin rescued from an oil spill, who transforms the life of a heartbroken fisherman. They soon become unlikely friends, so bonded that even the vast ocean cannot divide them.
Chuck says:
It’s well documented that having a pet is therapeutic, providing companionship, a sense of purpose and myriad other benefits. And while most opt to adopt a dog or cat, Joao Pereira de Souza found himself giving shelter to a wayward penguin. Based on a story that went viral in 2016, David Schurmann’s “My Penguin Friend” tells the story of this unusual friendship, one necessitated by need, sustained by loyalty.
The film begins with a heartrending tragedy as we witness the tragic death of de Souza’s son, a burden the man refuses to put down as the years go by. Shattered, his fellow villagers look at the fisherman as a lost cause, shuffling through life with little purpose. However, fate brings him the most unlikely companion as he finds an injured penguin on the Brazilian beach where he lives. Having encountered an oil slick after drifting away from a raft of migrating penguins, the wayward bird is in dire need of assistance. Taking him in, de Souza cleans up, feeds and nurses the exhausted little guy back to health.
Reluctant to let him go, de Souza is soon wandering about town with the bird, given the name Dim Dim by a local, the duo becoming a fixture in the little village. That is, until our hero awakens one morning to find his companion has returned to the sea.
Yet, that’s not the end of the story as the bird returns, year after year at approximately the same time, a feat documented by a group of scientists who just happened to encounter and tag Dimdim. They estimate he traveled nearly 5,000 miles between Argentina and Brazil, making the trip eight years.
Truly a remarkable story, Kristen Lazarian and Paulina Ulrich embellish the tale in their screenplay but never to point of making it maudlin or fantastic. As de Souza, Jean Reno brings a soulfulness to the role, conveying the character’s heartbreak and hope with small gestures and expressions. Knowing the bird is the true star, he takes a subtle approach that proves effective.
The press notes reveal that, according to Schurmann, a real penguin was used for 80% of the scenes, while the other 20% employed either CGI effects or animatronics. The combination of these various approaches is seamless, Dimdim seemingly engaged and present throughout. Leaning heavily on real birds the majority of the time is wise, as it grounds this hard-to-believe situation.
I fear this film will likely be lost amidst the bigger budgeted blockbusters that clog multiplexes during the summer season. That would be a shame, as this is not simply a wholesome, family film that refuses to pander to the audience, but a movie that contains a message we all need to hear. As a reporter documenting the story says about these events, “It gives me hope. I need that.” Right now, we could all use a healthy dose of what “Penguin” has to offer.
3 Stars
