Starring Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, this poignant dramedy from director Peter Cattaneo follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history.
Chuck says:
“Charming” and “warm” are two words that have likely never been used to describe actor Steve Coogan. The English comedian has built his career on playing edgy and at times, outright off-putting characters. Cynical and weary, so many of his roles contain a degree of disingenuous smarminess, the actor successfully conveying a sense of suspicion towards everyone and everything. (The exception is his dim-witted drama teacher, Dana Marschz, in “Hamlet 2,” which is an absolute hoot.)
As such, he’s perfect for “The Penguin Lessons,” a loose adaptation of the best-selling memoir by Tom Michell, which recounts his teaching experiences in 1976 Argentina. In the film adaptation, the instructor is presented as a burnt-out recluse, a man who takes this position because he has no family, has nothing else to do and could care less whether his students succeed. As such, this is a Steve Coogan role if there ever was one.
Michel is a wary soul, carrying a burden far too heavy for him to bear. He sleepwalks through his days, cares little about himself or others, and would much rather be in bed or out drinking. The headmaster (Jonathan Pryce) of St Georges is in denial regarding his shortcomings, as he is desperate to fill a suddenly vacant spot in the English Department.
Taking advantage of an unexpected week-long break, Michel and fellow teacher Sven (Lars Gustafsson) head to nearby Uruguay for what he hopes will be a seven-day bacchanal. Instead, he winds up adopting a penguin. Stumbling upon an oil spill while walking on the beach, he spots a single survivor, whom he dubs Juan Salvador. Cleaning him up in his hotel room, Michel sets him loose in the ocean the next morning, only to find his new feathered friend following him about everywhere he goes.
With no other choice, he brings Juan back to the school with him where, you guessed it, he changes everyone’s lives. Before you know it, he’s seen as the school’s mascot, used as a teaching aid in various classes and takes to the local swimming pool like a, you guessed it, penguin to water.
Directed by Peter Cattaneo, the film is very deliberate in the way it establishes its environment. The threat of the oppressive dictatorship governing Argentina at the time looms over the film, keeping every character in check, most refusing to speak out against its oppressive ways for fear of being taken and never seen again. This fate befalls Sophia (Alfonsina Carrocio), one of the workers at St Georges Michel befriends. Witnessing her abduction and refusing to help her serves as a wake-up call for him.
The script by Jeff Pope is delicate. It must balance the harsh reality of this tumultuous political age with the potentially trite nature of a heart-warming animal movie. Cattaneo and his cast tackle this with a deft touch that never allows Jaun Salvador to dominate the action. His behavior is never portrayed as being overtly cute or unrealistic. It’s his simple, noble presence that’s emphasized, his giving nature serving as an example of the kindness we should be showing one another. As such, this makes Michel’s reformation all the more credible, as does Coogan’s touching performance.
There are those who will scoff at Michel’s path to redemption, as well as the transformative power ascribed to the Juan Salvador. Still, others will object to the simplistic nature in which Argentinian politics are portrayed. These points are hard to argue with. As to those that would bring them up, I pity them.
Animals have a transformative power over us. They ground us, grant us perspective and provide an example of companionship and compassion that becomes easy to apply to others. Were this to be called a “naïve notion,” I wouldn’t argue it. Yet, the fact that so many of us have and cherish pets, speaks to the validity of this idea. Whether it be dog, cat or penguin, the bonds we form with these creatures are meaningful, practical and woefully one-sided, as I’m quite sure we’re getting the better end of the bargain. “Lessons” poignantly reminds us of this, giving us a portrait of a man who refused to be helped at every turn, but comes to take it from the most unlikely of sources.
3 1/2 Stars
