by Rosa Parra
“My Penguin Friend,” directed by David Schurmann and starring Jean Reno, Adriana Barraza, Rochi Hernandez and Nicolas Francella, is a heartfelt, moving, tender and touching story about a man and a penguin. After rescuing the oil-covered penguin from the ocean, Joao (Reno) forms a deep and unbreakable bond as he nurses it back to health.
This story is a testament to the penguin’s resilience. The penguin’s remarkable ability to adapt to any circumstance and make the best out of it is truly inspiring. As the penguin overstays his welcome in Joao’s home, it begins to adapt itself to its surroundings and to familiarize itself with the other people who live there. Soon enough, the people begin to get attached to the penguin and decide to name him DinDim. Dealing with a tragic past, Joao decides to take the penguin away to a nearby island where it lives the remainder of its life, only to have DinDim back in his house a few days later.
What’s truly remarkable is that DinDim, despite being a penguin, adapts his life to swim thousands of miles from the coast of Brazil to Argentina every single year. This journey, which is a natural part of a penguin’s life, is a testament to the penguin’s resilience and adaptability. For some of the year, he’d be surrounded by penguins, and for the other portion of the year, he’d be with Joao and his neighbors, showcasing his ability to bond with both humans and his own species.
The score adds to the sweetness, but at times the absurdity, of the situations. But it’s such a delight to witness the possibilities of friendship and the bond we can create with other species. There is a subplot following three biologists studying penguin behavior and how they navigate life. They take notice of DinDim’s ability to bond with humans and his own species. The penguin’s annual journey of swimming thousands of miles has intrigued the biologists, and it’s decided that DinDim will be taken into a laboratory for further studies. This specific subplot was frustrating, not because it was poorly executed, but because it always angers me when humanity acts upon other species’ geographical locations as property. The level of entitlement always sickens me. And DinDim is a victim of this, which adds a layer of emotional depth to the story.
DinDim goes on a journey of his own, and we witness the bond tested between DinDim and Joao. Reno and Barraza both deliver subtle but evocative performances as the titular married couple. Their dynamic is believable, and I appreciated their body language and non-verbal acting. It was evident that after so many years, they were both still affected by the tragedy that occurred decades back. Their performances add depth and emotion to the story, making it more engaging for movie enthusiasts.
The visuals are oftentimes notable and the overall film, despite being a low budget production, exudes a charming appeal that is hard to overlook.
Overall, “My Penguin Friend” is a charming, heartfelt, feel-good story that will leave audiences with the feeling of hope: hope for possible friendship opportunities but also hope in learning how to deal with grief and finding a new purpose in life. A great time with this adorable bird.
3.5/5