There are themes of compassion, courage, universal love and rare friendships that have been sewn into My Penguin Friend. This is a tale of a penguin who found himself in the wrong place. It was adorable and lost; it bonded with an ordinary fisherman named João (Jean Reno from Ronin and Mission: Impossible). The two got along but had to move on with their lives. They risk losing each other by doing so.
This is an emotional story about two main characters whose lives are intertwined and yet very touching. It is also what makes it special in terms of human animal relationships. And for DinDim the Penguin it’s this lingering presence that recharges João after years of grieving control.
Cast members include Adriana Barraza, Alexia Moyano, Nicolás Francella, Rochi Hernández, Ravel Cabral, Juan José Garnica and Duda Galvão as well Directed by David Schurmann and written by Paulina Lagudi & Kristen Lazarian . As such we thought that Schurmann was taking his time to allow things develop naturally which we loved but since the true story behind this movie went viral on social media platforms people may need some patience to adjust themselves to its plot line that is really heartwarming.
The opening takes us back in history where we learn how João’s life suddenly changed around him. By now he has lived for decades as a fisherman depending on his work for sustenance but also to stay sane. He has not gotten over a wound His wife Maria Barraza occupies herself with their little coastal home at Ilha Grande Rio de Janeiro One day João meets Magellanic penguin which had strayed off its migratory route apparently.
In fact it needs attention. So he bathes him feeds him but what began as rescue turns out completely different. That creature becomes a friend accompanying João as he walks around the town and is soon christened ‘DinDim’ by a local girl who can’t pronounce penguin correctly but it is sort of cute.
It’s a good set-up for what follows, giving Reno, an internationally renowned star, something to lean on in terms of his acting skills especially when playing the role of the hard-nosed person who needs persuasion to see things from another angle. One might recall Leon: The Professional film featuring Reno which was released in 1994. However, unlike Reno’s neurotic Leon in his earlier film, João has a different way of dealing with things.
Rather than roll our eyes, the writers thread us gracefully through a number of cliches that we could have seen. DinDim becomes popular among locals like most other films about humans and animals such as My Octopus Teacher or Eight Below or Free Willy. It is even more enchanting than ever before. Yet there’s something lovely and curious that one can still pick up throughout My Penguin Friend which make it appear stranger than fiction.
And watching the stiff João begin to slowly unwind, you can marvel at how he realizes that he and DinDim have forged a deep connection. The story turns when DinDim suddenly disappears back into the ocean, and João wonders if he will ever see his friend again. It is here where the scriptwriters do more than imply that sheer magic inhabits not just life’s sweet surprises but the gaps in-between when it feels like nothings happening or our lives are stuck.
It should be obvious which way this is going as the dial is quickly turned up on various conflicts and dangers in the story. Will DinDim reunite with João? Can João move into a new era of his life, using his unlikely friendship as a blueprint for living?
My Penguin Friend is based on an amazing true story about a real fisherman by the name of João Pereira De Souza who once found an orphaned penguin stranded on a beachside near Rio de Janeiro. It had been caught up in an oil spill and this made the fisherman take care of it instantly. The film mostly follows suit with what happened to the real-João but thankfully never over-preaches its message: human negligence hurt this bird.
The film used about 9 penguins throughout filming; each one taking part as DinDim. During a recent interview with MovieWeb, actor Jean Reno noted that there was one called Maui whom he had grown closest to. Instead of using fake CGI or animated birds, however, they filmmakers instead allowed these animals to simply behave naturally within their own personalities while being unable to safely return them back into sea as saved from oil spills etc. This helped make things seem more genuine hence lending credibility to this narrative.
These birds are characters unto themselves, and their peculiarities are wonderfully captured by the filmmaker. The film has great production value; it is eye candy. You can never go wrong with anything shot along the lively coastal lines of Brazil and Argentina. The story arcs of our two gentlemen João and DinDim, however, are very compelling and thought provoking. Therefore, the movie forces viewers to contemplate on if not remember the life changing influence of friendship and love irrespective of whether they are human or animal buddy. Consequently, My Penguin Friend is a charmingly contagious feel good movie that will endear itself into hearts of many audiences.
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