The Penguin Lessons
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5 stars)
The volatility of South American governments in the 1970s garnered significant attention in the cinemas. I’m Still Here was the true story that won the Academy Award winner and focussed on the totalitarian regime in Brazil. Next is director Peter Cattaneo’s (Military Wives, The Full Monty) turn with Tom Michell’s (Steve Coogan) penguin tale inspired by real events in Argentina in the same decade.
In 1976, Michell took a position at the St Georges private boys school as an English instructor. His sceptical view of humanity and tragic past caused him to have little passion for his work. Until he is given a week off during the military uprising in the nation’s capital, during which he takes a holiday in Uruguay. After a romantic night out and as he walked along the beach with his potential lover, the pair came across a flock of penguins covered in an oil spill. They take one of the birds back to his hotel and save the animal from certain death. This endears the bird to the English instructor, and the teacher is compelled to take the creature back to the school until he can determine what to do with the penguin. An act that changes Tom Michell’s life, turns his students around academically and even causes ripple effects in the local government.
While I’m Still Here was a compelling drama that deserved all the attention it received and depicted the horrors of a fascist regime. The Penguin Lessons puts a comical annd endearing spin on the grave and historical events in Argentina in the 70s. Steve Coogan’s dry wit proved to be a perfect fit for this unusually compelling account of how a flightless bird changed the lives of all he came in contact with at the school and within the community. A story that is hard to believe occurred, except for it being written out by Michell after he left the school and his video evidence of the penguin’s existence. Cattaneo’s understated style complements this transformational journey of a man running from his past. It shows how change can come from the most unlikely of places. The comedy and the terrifying political turmoil are more methodical than overt, which can cause some lethargy within the screenplay. Yet, this film will quietly work its way into your conscience and challenge anyone to take a stand for our beliefs or wake them out of the stupor of a mundane life.
The Penguin Lessons has something for everyone as it shows how things in this world don’t change but how humanity can change within circumstances if they choose. Sometimes, all it takes is a penguin to make its way into their lives.
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Reel Dialogue: Sacrifice in taking a stand
Tom Michell’s story confronts all who find themselves in a place to stand up for others but fail to step in at the moment. He is challenged to take up a fight that isn’t his own. Still, the English teacher must accept the notion of taking on the government even if his methods may be futile. This is a consideration that comes up throughout the study of history and even for people in the present. Unsurprisingly, it can be seen in the lives of many within the Bible.
There are multiple examples, but one story involves three friends. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were put into a precarious situation. They had to determine whether they would kneel or stand in the public square as a new statue of the king was unveiled. The most significant difference between these three men and Tom Michell’s story is that they faced death if they refused the king. Yet, they saw death as a better choice than to betray their God. It is a fantastic tale in Daniel 3 of the Bible; you should read it.
The quiet English teacher and these three young men had very different motivations, but they did suffer for their choices. Still, there is a difference between these tales of taking a stand. In the eyes of many people around the world, suffering is all pain and should be avoided. While in God's eyes, suffering still occurs when you take a stand for Him, it can be a vehicle for hope. We can learn from the Bible that having those difficult moments of suffering can produce perseverance, character and hope.
Is it worth taking a stand when the fight isn’t your own? It is a question worth asking, while another asks, who stands by your side? Many stand-alone, while people of the Christian faith can always know that God is by their side.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. - Romans 5:3-5
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