The charming and witty Englishmen professor Tom Michell (Steve Coogan) arrives at a posh British boys school outside of Buenos Aires in the early times of unrest in the mid-1970s. Masked by the fancy school grounds, the setting still cannot hide from the dangers and realities of a military coup. During a flee from violence when the school is shut down for a week, Michell takes off to Uruguay and in an attempt to impress a new lady friend he meets there, he stumbles on an oil spill at the beach. The scene is somber with many dead penguins—however, one is alive. He is convinced to take the penguin to save its life, and when he does, he is abandoned by the woman, but gains a new fowl friend. After many, many attempts to force the flightless bird back to the sea, Michell comes to realization that this penguin will now be along for the ride with him back to Buenos Aires. 

 

The best moments of the film are undoubtedly with the penguin, affectionately named Juan Salvador, and honestly the film needed more moments with the titular creature. The boys in class and the school caretakers, grandmother-granddaughter duo, take an immediate liking to the penguin and provide some of the most endearing parts of the film. The story finds a way to equally balances its dry, witty humor with intense and devastating plot points. Like when the granddaughter, Sophia, is taken from the streets with many witnesses, including Michell, who do absolutely nothing. Michell obviously wrestles with his cowardice moment, but all is well in the end. 

 

The Penguin Lessons is a heartwarming yet politically fueled story of how an unexpected friendship can bring perspective and growth in uncertain times. It is a comforting watch because of the human-animal friendship dynamic, but a lot is left on the table.