In June of 2011 off the island of Ilha Grande, Brazil, a local, retired bricklayer named João Pereira de Souza found a Patagonian Magellanic Penguin struggling in an oil slick. De Souza brought the flightless bird into his home and returned it to health. A month later de Souza took the penguin named DinDim to a nearby Island and set him free. Much to de Souza's surprise, DinDim was back at his house on Ilha Grande a few hours later. Each year, for a decade, this trek took place as DinDim would show up in June and stay until February. My Penguin Friend is the new movie based on this real-life friendship.
João (Jean Reno; Léon: The Professional) lived a quiet life off the coast of Brazil, with his wife, Maira (Adriana Barraza; Blue Beetle). He had all but withdrawn from his neighbors after the accidental death of his son years earlier. Then one day, after fishing, he saw a penguin struggling to swim. On closer inspection, João realized the penguin was covered in oil and near death so he cleaned it up and gave it fish. After one week João set the penguin on its way but it just kept coming back until the day it swam out to sea and disappeared. Expecting never to see the bird, given the name DinDim again, he was surprised when four months later the penguin returned. Continuing for the next eight years, the pair became an island staple and a viral sensation.
Reno plays a different kind of role than we are used to seeing from him. João is a somber and closed-off man. He seems broken until DinDim comes into his life and Reno portrays the solemn retiree well. Barraza, as João's wife lends some comedy to the film, occasionally making the side comment but eventually growing to love the penguin almost as much as João. The rest of the cast is neither extraordinary nor ill-suited to the characters they play. DinDim is represented by several penguins who always seem to hit their marks.
Director David Schurmann (Little Secret) has made oceanic documentaries and his skills serve him well in this instance. Not only does he showcase Reno and the penguin but films scenes of the the penguin swimming in the ocean, as well as, scenes from DinDim's point of view. These unique shots set Schurmann apart and give the film a distinctive feel as if the audience is watching something special.
As viewers, we also get some interesting penguin facts that not only help move the story along but that also serve as an educational tool for younger audience members. The fact that Schurmann can so adeptly do this without making the movie "preachy" is a testament to his storytelling abilities. He also offers some beautiful scenic shots that make sense and aren't included simply to have some "pretty surroundings".
The story of this amazing penguin and his bond with the old man is incredible but even more astounding is the fact that the video about the real-life duo went viral thanks to social media.
My Penguin Friend is a family-friendly, old-fashioned, heart-warming tale that is certain to please audiences of all ages while offering a lesson about nature. With a great cast, especially Reno who plays against type, and a director who knows how to frame interesting shots, the movie is worth the ticket price and spending a little time with the kids.
Of course, the real star is the penguin (or should I say penguins) who has/have a definite personality that captures the imagination.
Grade: B
