Steve Coogan
Tom Michell
Overview
In 1976, as Argentina descends into violence and chaos, a world-weary English teacher regains his compassion for others thanks to an unlikely friendship with a penguin.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Penguin That Almost Sank a Movie
I’ve seen The Penguin Lessons twice now, and both times I’ve left the theater with the same nagging question: What do you do when the thing that makes your movie charming is also the thing that makes it ethically queasy? Peter Cattaneo’s film is a warm, wobbly dramedy about an English teacher in 1976 Argentina who adopts an oil-slicked penguin and, in the process, rediscovers his own humanity.
It’s the kind of premise that sounds like a children’s book—Mr. Popper’s Penguins meets Dead Poets Society, with a dash of political unrest thrown in for gravitas. And yet, the film’s greatest strength—its ability to make you smile at the sight of Steve Coogan feeding fish to a real penguin—is also its most glaring weakness.
Because the backdrop isn’t just any old schoolyard; it’s Argentina during the Dirty War, a time when thousands were disappearing into unmarked graves. The penguin, in other words, is waddling through a minefield.
Cattaneo, best known for The Full Monty, has always had a knack for finding humor and pathos in unlikely places. Here, he leans hard into the fish-out-of-water (or, in this case, bird-out-of-water) premise. Coogan plays Tom Michell, a jaded English teacher who takes a job at a posh Argentine boarding school after the death of his daughter.
He’s emotionally checked out, going through the motions of teaching until he stumbles upon a penguin coated in oil on a beach. Against all logic—and the headmaster’s protests—he smuggles the bird back to school, where it becomes a kind of mascot for the students. The penguin, named Juan Salvador (a nod to the school’s patron saint), is undeniably adorable.
Played by two real birds named Baba and Richard, it has the kind of expressive, slightly bewildered face that makes you forget, for a moment, that you’re watching a film set against one of the darkest periods in Latin American history.
That’s the problem. The film wants to have it both ways: to be a lighthearted story about an unlikely friendship and a serious meditation on grief and redemption, all while glossing over the fact that its setting is a country in the throes of state-sponsored terror. The critics have noticed.
Tim Robey, writing for The Telegraph, put it bluntly: "Yes, it’s ostensibly sweet and inoffensive. But it’s so inoffensive that it’s almost, well, offensive." The film includes a postscript acknowledging the 30,000 killed or disappeared during the Dirty War, but by then, the damage is done. The preceding 100 minutes have treated Argentina’s political nightmare as little more than atmospheric mood lighting, a way to make Tom’s personal journey feel more urgent.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.4/10
"A heartfelt but uneven drama that charms with its quirky premise yet struggles to fully engage."
Viewers appreciate the film’s warm, offbeat premise and the chemistry between its leads, particularly Steve Coogan and Jonathan Pryce, which adds a layer of authenticity to the story. However, the pacing and narrative depth are frequently cited as lacking, leaving some feeling the film doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential. latestnetflix.com's read is that the emotional core is present but often overshadowed by a script that feels underdeveloped in places.
What viewers praise
- Charming premise The unique and heartwarming story of an unlikely bond between a man and a penguin resonates with audiences.
- Strong lead performances Steve Coogan and Jonathan Pryce deliver nuanced performances that anchor the film’s emotional moments.
- Warm tone The film’s gentle, uplifting atmosphere is a recurring highlight for those seeking a feel-good experience.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing The story drags in parts, making it difficult to stay fully invested throughout.
- Underdeveloped script Some viewers feel the narrative lacks depth and fails to explore its themes as thoroughly as it could.
- Predictable moments The plot follows familiar beats, reducing the element of surprise for those expecting something fresher.
Recommended for
Fans of quirky dramas Steve Coogan admirers Feel-good movie seekers Animal-human bond stories
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsPeter Cattaneo’s The Penguin Lessons Waddles Into Uncharted Territory
Peter Cattaneo, the British director behind the 1997 cultural phenomenon The Full Monty, is trading Sheffield steelworkers for a decidedly more feathered protagonist in his latest film, The Penguin Lessons (2025). latestnetflix.com's read is that the drama—set to hit screens next year—marks a sharp pivot from the director’s comedic roots, though early details suggest Cattaneo is still chasing the same emotional core: unlikely bonds and quiet resilience.
A Dramatic Detour for Cattaneo
Cattaneo’s filmography has been defined by sharp, character-driven humor, from The Full Monty’s ragtag strippers to Lucky Break’s prison escape farce. The Penguin Lessons, however, is billed as a straight drama 
, a genre shift that raises eyebrows given the director’s lack of prior dramatic work. The film’s 110-minute runtime and somber tone suggest a slower burn, a far cry from the rapid-fire wit of his earlier projects. Whether this is a deliberate reinvention or a one-off experiment remains to be seen, but the move aligns with a broader trend of comedy directors testing dramatic waters—think Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit or Adam McKay’s The Big Short.
The cast, led by Steve Coogan and Jonathan Pryce, hints at the film’s gravitas. Coogan, known for his razor-sharp comedic timing in Alan Partridge and The Trip, has increasingly embraced dramatic roles (Stan & Ollie, The Lost King), while Pryce’s career has long balanced stage gravitas (Game of Thrones) with offbeat charm (The Two Popes). Their pairing suggests a story with weight, though the specifics of their characters—and how a penguin factors in—remain under wraps.
The Mystery of the Penguin
The title’s avian star is the film’s biggest wildcard. Is it a literal penguin, a metaphor, or a quirky MacGuffin? The lack of plot details in available sources leaves room for speculation. Given Cattaneo’s past work, it’s tempting to imagine a Full Monty-style underdog tale where the penguin serves as a catalyst for human connection—perhaps a misfit teacher (Coogan?) bonding with a student over an unexpected animal companion. Alternatively, the penguin could be a symbolic device, representing isolation or resilience in a harsh environment.
The international cast—including Argentine actors Vivian El Jaber, Alfonsina Carrocio, and Tomás Pozzi—suggests a global setting, possibly Patagonia or Antarctica, where penguins are native. If so, the film might explore themes of displacement, environmentalism, or cultural clashes, with the penguin as a silent observer or even a narrative driver. For now, though, the bird’s role is as opaque as the film’s plot.
Early Buzz and Expectations
With a modest 6.4/10 rating on SensCritique based on 60 votes , The Penguin Lessons hasn’t exactly set the internet ablaze—at least not yet. The lack of a Rotten Tomatoes score further underscores its low-profile status, though that could change as marketing ramps up. Cattaneo’s name alone guarantees curiosity, but whether the film can escape Full Monty comparisons remains a question. The director’s last major project, Military Wives (2019), a musical drama about a choir of army spouses, flew under the radar, suggesting he’s not afraid to take risks, even if they don’t always pay off.
One thing’s certain: The Penguin Lessons is a gamble. If it lands, it could redefine Cattaneo’s legacy beyond the shadow of The Full Monty. If it flops, it might be remembered as a bizarre footnote in his career. Either way, the penguin is the star of the conversation—for now.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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