Jeri Jacquin
Coming to theatres from director David Schurmann and Roadside Attractions is the unbelievable story of an unlikely friendship of MY PENGUIN FRIEND.
On the shores of Brazil lives Joao (Jean Reno), a fisherman and his wife Maria (Adriana Barraza) live a quiet life after a tragedy. Joao has spent his years avoiding the villagers and staying to himself. One morning, as he is launching his boat to fish, he sees something floating in the water. Rushing out to the object, he discovers it is a penguin covered in oil.
Rushing the penguin to his home, he spends time feeding him fish and cleaning the oil off of his feathers. When Maria arrives home, she discovers oil everywhere in her house and a penguin in the bathroom! Seeing that it means something to Joao, she watches her husband continue to spend time bathing and feeding the penguin.
Weeks pass and the penguin becomes stronger and takes to wandering the village and back to Joao and Maria’s home. When the time comes for the penguin to go back into his watery world, the young Lucia (Duda Galvao) sees the penguin in Joao’s boat. Discovering he has no name, she offers up the name Dindim and it sticks, but Dindim staying away from Joao doesn’t.
When the season changes, Dindim returns to his nest miles and miles away. Also, there are biologists studying penguins and notice that Dindim is very different than the other penguins on the beach. When the tuxedo wearing penguin returns to Joao’s, the village is thrilled and it only takes one clip going viral to change everything.
Reno as Joao is so charming in this role, especially since most of the time he spends closed off to the people of his village. It takes a little penguin for him to remember what it is to love and care for someone other than himself. Throughout the film, Reno gives his character heart and a deep well of a soul and his portrayal of this man comes through beautifully.
Barraza as Maria isn’t thrilled to have a penguin in her home but seeing how her husband seems to be opening up makes it all worth it. Barraza gives her character warmth and a sense of herself and the village she lives in. I loved that about her and the scene where she and Reno are waiting for Dindim is just so lovely and loving.
Other cast include Rochi Hernandez as Stephanie, Nicolas Francella as Carlos, Alexia Moyano as Adriana, Ravel Cabral as Paulo, Wilson Rabelo as Marcos Mauricio Xavier as Oscar, Juan Jose Garnica as Miguel, Juan Queiroz as Pedro, Roberto Borenstein as Luis and Thalma de Freitas as Calista.
Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.
MY PENGUIN FRIEND was shot on the beaches of Brazil as Patagonia is home to nearly a million penguins. I personally wouldn’t mind spending the day sitting on the beach surrounded by penguins but this is the next best thing. Telling this story of a penguin who travels stunning lengths to be with his friend is not only fantastic but will melt your heart.
The story is one of a unique friendship based on nothing more than two beings caring about one another for love, affection and understanding. Joao learns so much from his little friend and the acceptance of his comings and goings is what we should all strive for in friendship and letting the creatures of the earth live and let live.
I watched the film with my nine-year-old granddaughter who not only fell in love with Dindim but was thrilled at certain aspects (no spoilers here folks) of this unique penguin. Sharing it with her lets me know that MY PENGUINE FRIEND is truly a family film and an experience that can be talked about long after the film has ended.
In the end – this is an extraordinary friendship!
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