The Penguin Lessons ★★

Released: 18 April 2025

Director: Peter Cattaneo

Starring: Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, Vivian El Jaber, Björn Gustafsson and Alfonsina Carrocio

British comedian Steve Coogan re-teams with writer Jeff Pope – who he has previously collaborated with on similar dramedies Philomena and Stan & Ollie – for this latest feel-good(ish) historical effort. Based on former teacher Tom Michell’s 2015 bestselling memoir of the same name, Coogan defies the age-old saying of never work with children or animals by teaming up with both, cleverly enlisting one of the most adorable penguins on the big screen by his side. While it’s an admirable effort, importantly spotlighting the turmoil of those who ‘disappeared’ during Argentina’s military junta in the 70s, Coogan and co. can’t quite steer this tonal mismatch of a film.

Directed by The Full Monty’s Peter Cattaneo, The Penguin Lessons centres on jaded expat teacher Tom (Coogan) as he takes a job teaching English at St. George’s College – a stuffy Argentinian boys boarding school in 1976. Closely watched by Jonathan Pryce’s pompous head teacher, Tom appears to coast through his lessons and hardly connects with his class. That’s until the military overthrew the government, with the coup forcing the school to close, with Tom and fellow teacher Tapio heading to Uruguay on a holiday. Whilst there, Tom saves a penguin from an oil slick on the beach to impress his date, but unbeknownst to him, the penguin (who’s eventually named Juan Salvador) won’t leave his side. After smuggling his new feathered friend into Argentina and the boarding school, it turns out that the penguin soon helps change Tom’s relationships with the school staff and pupils amidst the turbulent time.

The tricky aspect of adapting memoirs and historical events – especially slice of life dramas like The Penguin Lessons – is knowing what kind of tone the creative team will take and, in turn, how the studio actually markets the film. This adaptation was firmly promoted as a feel-good comedy throughout the trailers and marketing material, with Steven Coogan and the penguin front and centre. And while they’re undoubtedly the main selling point, the film’s real heart is the far more serious and moving subplot of the Argentine mothers of Plaz de Mayo and their fight for justice, as they protest against the Argentine militaries’ brutal dictatorship.

And while it’s an Intriguing mix of comedy and drama, it’s not quite the feel-good movie about how Tom’s friendship with the penguin helped transform the disillusioned teacher’s life which was sold in the trailers. Much like the 2018 Christopher Robin film, the marketing of this movie certainly paints it in a different light, which could lead to viewer disappointment. The cuts between Juan’s charming effects on Tom’s school class and colleagues – along with Tom’s transformation as he overcomes his heartbreak from his past – with the ongoing disappearances of the local residents really is a wildly different tonal shift. It’s undoubtedly a well meaning film but the lack of balance between heart-warming comedy and heart-breaking drama certainly results in a complicated and awkward affair. If only writer Jeff Pope could have struck the same winning formula as Stan & Ollie.

Coogan has certainly proved he can nail the serious roles just as well as the comedic, shining in the hugely emotional Philomena alongside Judi Dench. And while his transformation from jaded and cynical to a reinvigorated teacher and an active member of the community who stands up for justice – all thanks to his feathered friend and the local people – is a touching journey, but Coogan’s performance can feel rather underpowered at times. Tom’s brief excursion with Swedish colleague Tapio (who’s quite clearly his opposite) is an amusing subplot, along with Pryce’s comedic turn as he’s revealed to confide in the adorable penguin (who he previously wanted out of his boarding school!) Vivian El Jaber also shines as the school housekeeper whose granddaughter Sofia (Alfonsina Carrocio) has shockingly disappeared after talking to a local fishmonger who opposes the military coup, and her performance is the beating heart here.

While the trailer paints this as a cutesy animal comedy with shades of Dead Poets Society come Fly Away Home, be prepared for a film that certainly has much more gut wrenching drama than expected, with similar themes to Walter Salles’ academy award nominated I’m Still Here. Still, when the home-movie footage of the real-life Juan Salvador heart-warmingly swimming in the school’s pool eventually rolls around, you’ll no doubt find yourself wiping a tear from your eye (and no doubt wanting to find out more about the Argentine mothers of Plaz de Mayo).