Steve Coogan nails a juicy role here in the true story of an English teacher in 70s Argentina who reluctantly p-p-picked up a penguin. Full Monty director Peter Cattaneo deftly conveys the contrast between a country in turmoil (the military junta is busily disposing of protesters from the streets) and the gated tedium of life in a boarding school for the privileged sons of the upper classes, a “safe space” so long as you don’t rock the boat. Cynical English teacher Tom Michell rescues the penguin from an oil slicked beach while vacationing in Uruguay, but finds his new friend is stickier than he looks. It’s an appealing mixture of pathos and comedy, and a timely parable of resistance.
It emerges as an engaging delight from start to finish… The Penguin Lessons also proves unexpectedly moving, its emotional manipulations fully forgivable.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Peter Cattaneo
Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, Vivian El Jaber, Alfonsina Carrocio, Bjorn Gustafsson, David Herrero
USA
2024
In English and Spanish with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Screenwriter
Jeff Pope
Cinematography
Federico Jusid
Editor
Robin Peters, Tariq Anwar
Also Playing
Magic Farm
In Amalia Ulman's playful slow burner, a Vice-like camera crew wash up in a sleepy South American village and cook up a story that isn't there with the help of cynical locals eager to take the gringos for every cent.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Released in 2001, John Cameron Mitchell's flamboyant rock musical about a gender-queer punk rock singer from East Berlin pushed the boundaries of queer cinema. It's both heartbreaking and empowering. Screening with the short The Human Voice.
The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & The Art of Survival
If Art Deco had a face, it was surely Tamara De Lempicka, giving us the side-eye at the wheel of a green Bugati in her famous self-portrait. Rubio's invaluable doc teases out the truths behind the myths, shedding light on De Lempicka's still underrated art.
Image: © 2024 TAMARA DE LEMPICKA ESTATE, LLC ADAGP, PARIS ARS, NY