Movie Review # 687: My Penguin Friend (2024)

Everyone, today, we are going to review a family-friendly film that was inspired by true events. So now, let’s discuss My Penguin Friend!

Plot: When a heartbroken Brazilian fisherman (Jean Reno) rescues a lone penguin from an oil spill, he, and his wife (Adriana Barraza) decide to take the creature under their wings. Now, will he especially be able to keep the penguin, whom he names Dimdin, safe from potential harm in the future?

Okay, first of all, it is nice that we have family films like this one. Someone recently described My Penguin Friend as “touching, compassionate, and tender.” You know what? This film really does have those qualities. So much so that it’s a shame that this film hasn’t been more popular. Why is it that movies like Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine, for instance, have much more popularity than this family film here? Okay, am I saying that My Penguin Friend has to make around $200-300 million at the box office? No! However, that being said, this film deserves more attention than the very little that it’s been getting thus far. I mean after seeing a family film like Harold & The Purple Crayon last night (and yes, that review will be coming soon), I’m very shocked, and surprised that that movie is even performing even moderately better than My Penguin Friend. With all that said, why does this newer film, that’s based on a true story, deserve to be a must see? Well, to begin, there’s the fact that My Penguin Friend is based on a true story. In an age where a lot of those movies seem to be more mature stories that seem to be a little more accessible to adults than to kids, it’s nice that a company like Roadside Attractions makes a film that is, for the more part, accessible to kids, teens, and adults all equally. Yes, even if people that have owned pets may be the ones to appreciate My Penguin Friend more so, even those that haven’t owned one may still learn some valuable lessons from the film. Also, what makes this film touching, and the other good qualities is how much main character, Joao Pereira de Souza, ends up changing after enduring hardship for quite a few years following a tragic incident that he went through, and then adopting a penguin sometime after that. Then, to see him grow as a person, it just comes to show how much having a pet, be it a dog, a cat, or, in rare cases like this one, a penguin, or other animals for that matter, can most likely help people out in life. Additionally, how could you not love the relationship between Joao, and Dimdin, the penguin? I mean the way that he takes Dimdin in his care upon meeting him immediately, and calls him his friend, instead of just his pet, wow, that’s another thing to like about the character in the movie, and, I’m sure, even Joao in real life. Also, how could you not love the rest of the characters? They are fun, likable, and ones that you will definitely want to hang out with the more you see them in this movie, and get to know them. Who knows, maybe more people will want to go to Brazil, and possibly get to know that culture a little more? You got me! Another thing to like was the score, especially in the beginning, that was composed by Fernando Velazquez. First off, his score knew when to be uplifting, be sad in the sad moments, and more. Plus, for those of us who saw the trailer for this film, how could we not appreciate part of Velazquez’ score both in the trailer, and in this film? Finally, if you want a live-action film that’s not only based on a true story, but also feels heartwarming, uplifting, compelling, and a film that that truly gives you a good feeling by the end, as well as provides some valuable lessons to take away afterwards, then all the more reason to see this film.

And that’s my review for My Penguin Friend. Truly, it is original films like this one that need to be released more, and more, instead of mainly sequels, prequels, and remakes for the most part. Yeah, after seeing heartwarming films like My Penguin Friend, and Arthur The King earlier this year, I can say that it is films like these that we need more of. My Penguin Friend is a lovely film that, though it has some dark, as well as sad, and depressing moments, is an overall really touching, and feel good movie that will make you want to likely see it again. The characters are likable, and ones that may make you wish that you got to see them in real life. All in all, if you haven’t seen My Penguin Friend, I highly recommend it. You will be glad that you did, and probably wish it was more popular in the end. So yeah, go see it, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A+