DVD Corner

The Penguin Lessons DVD Review

“The Penguin Lessons” is in need of more material. 

Based on Tom Michell’s memoir of the same name and scripted by Jeff Pope, “The Penguin Lessons” takes place in Argentina in the year 1976 during the military dictatorship. The story follows a middle-aged British man (Tom Michell) who has arrived in Argentina to teach English at St. George’s College. Tom is a lonely, jaded, and passive man for reasons that later become apparent. One day while taking a trip to Uruguay, he finds a penguin still alive in an oil slick on the beach. He and a woman he met (Carina) clean up the penguin. Tom attempts to release him back into the ocean, but the penguin is attached to him. To make a long story short, Tom winds up keeping the penguin and keeping it a secret at the College (although plenty of people learn about it). To his surprise, the penguin ends up changing his life. Not only does he reinvigorate his own, but it allows him to form more connections with others, improve his teaching, and genuinely cheer up those around him. During Tom’s own character journey, there’s a crucial subplot involving the Argentina conflict that finds Tom’s housekeeper’s granddaughter Sofia being abducted. 

For those expecting director Pete Cattaneo’s “The Penguin Lessons” to be a cute and quaint animal film, it’s not. This comedy-drama leans more heavily on the drama as it’s very much a character piece about Tom overcoming past trauma and learning to live again alongside a political drama with Sofia’s abduction being a central piece of the story. Sure, there’s plenty of penguin scenes scattered about too, but it’s not all that quirky. It is, however, refreshing to see real penguins being used in this film. There are no CGI animals to be found here much to the film’s benefit. 

While “The Penguin Lessons” is a perfectly watchable drama, biopic (of sorts), animal film and historical film all rolled into one, it also seems to be weirdly lacking something more. Jeff Pope sets up all the pieces and exposition, but the story just floats along until the ending. There’s not enough depth to the middle act and you’re left wanting more from the story.

On the plus side, Steve Coogan once again shines here. He delivers a very soulful performance and sprinkles in some dry wit along the way. Jonathan Pryce doesn’t have much to do here, but his veteran presence elevates the story. Both Vivian El Jaber (Maria) Alfonsina Carrocio (Sofia) are the heart of the film and give noteworthy performances.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1. Grade: B+

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. Grade: B+

Extras include a theatrical trailer, separate interviews with actors Jonathan Pryce and Steve Coogan and director Peter Cattaneo, a behind the scenes featurette about the penguins used in the film, and a making of featurette with set footage, interviews, and discussions about the film and the memoir its based on.

June 29, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Penguin, Steve Coogan, The Penguin Lessons DVD Review, Tom Michell