Historical stories about animals long gone are always going to have a bittersweet edge.  But in Steve Coogan’s latest role he plays real-life British teacher Tom Michell in a comedy-drama, a man who went to Argentina to be a teacher in 1976 where he rescued an orphaned penguin from an industrial oil spill.  They become friends and the penguin, who a student names Juan Salvador, accompanies Michell on his journey.  Michell told his story in a memoir, and Jeff Pope (The Lost King, Archie) adapted it into a movie, The Penguin Lessons.

Coogan has been charming audiences for years, from parts in Ella Enchanted to Night at the Museum to Hot Fuzz to The Other Guys, The Secret Life of Pets, The Lost King, Despicable Me, and a hundred other TV series and movies.  The movie co-stars the ubiquitous Jonathan Pryce.

Check out the trailer for the The Penguin Lessons:

It looks like a charmer.  Look for The Penguin Lessons in theaters March 28, 2025.

C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg