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Our local theater does "Mystery Movies" on Monday where all the tell you is the run time and rating before the movies starts, so we had no expectations. When it started, I saw that this was going to be a PG animal flick, so I started out bummed. I was pleasantly surprised. Based on the true story of a man who befriends a penguin, but the real story is more about how a man overcomes grief and re-engages with his life and community. How a village can actively support one another. There are quite a few laughs and silly moments as you would expect from a movie with a penguin as a main character, but pull that back, and it really is a redemption and growth story about a simple couple in a fishing village. There are a few darker themes, especially around human hubris and callousness, this will go over younger viewers' heads, all in all, a really heartwarming film that I recommend to take the whole family to see. My biggest criticism is that the dialog was a bit weak and they tried a bit too hard with some of the underwater shots. They tried something they hoped would look cool, but it was more disorienting than anything else.

I love My Penguin Friend! By the time this charming and heartfelt true story was over, I wanted my own cute and curious penguin pal.

The story revolves around Joao (Jean Reno), an old fisherman who has been lonely most of his life. That is, until he meets Din Dim the penguin. Drenched in oil, the frail penguin is taken care of by Joao till he regains his strength. While caring for Din Dim, Joao begins to feel an emotion he hasn't felt in a long time - happy. When Din Dim leaves unexpectedly one morning, Joao is certain he will never see Din Dim again. However, unknown to Joao, a bond has been formed that not even the widest ocean can break, and it is only a matter of time before the little one returns.

The thing that stands out to me the most in this movie is the penguin, Din Dim. I'm not sure if an actual trained penguin was used in this film or very sharp CGI. I'm guessing he's real. Din Dim is very excited while exploring Joao's house, even though Joao's wife, Ma (Adriana Barraza) doesn't approve. He rummages through toilet paper, scarfs down fish, and makes a burrow out of old trinkets he finds. He is quite humorous and cute at the same time. I also really like the credits at the beginning; it has a cool painted compass design, with lots of details. The plot is a bit hard to follow at first, and I didn't understand it fully till later in the film. But, the chemistry between Joao, Maria, and Din Dim is spot on. Joao cares for the penguin deeply; Maria only tolerates having a wild animal in her home. And, Din Dim causes loads of chaos, making it lots of fun for everybody. The background music, composed by Fernando Velázquez, really brings everything together with music that highlights what an emotional story this is.

The film's message is about the loyalty that comes from caring for an animal. Joao cares for Din Dim, and the little penguin becomes a companion to Joao, making both of them very happy. After a while, even Maria starts to play with Din Dim.

I give My Penguin Friend 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. My Penguin Friend releases in theaters on August 16 2024. Go check it out! By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST!

Greetings again from the darkness. It's understandable if this movie makes you consider whether penguins might make better friends than people. David Schurmann directs a script from Kristen Lazarian Paulina and Lagudi Ulrich that is 'inspired by a true story'. By now, we all recognize this as code for dramatic license has been taken, and it's up to the viewer to differentiate fact from fiction.

Brazilian fisherman Joao (Pedro Urizzi), his wife Maria (Amanda Magalhaes), and their son Miguel (Juan Jose Garnica) are living a lovely, simple life along the coast until tragedy strikes at sea on Miguel's birthday. The story jumps ahead a few decades to find a sullen and continuously grieving and guilt-ridden Joao (Jean Reno) and an extraordinarily patient Maria (Adriana Barraza) still live in the same house, though they barely interact with others in the remote village.

One day, Joao rescues an injured penguin from an oil slick. After carefully cleansing the oil from the penguin's coat, Joao begins feeding him a steady (and consistent) diet of fresh sardines. Joao is happy when the recuperated penguin sticks around for a while and is elated when he shows back up the following year. Maria isn't sure what to make of the returning penguin (named DinDim by a local girl), yet she's thrilled to see Joao has a bit of spark. As viewers, we see what Joao doesn't. DinDim hails from Patagonia and is part of the annual penguin migration being studied by Marine Biologist researchers.

Mr. Reno and Ms. Barraza (nominated for an Oscar for BABEL, 2006) are two familiar and dependable character actors who rarely get a shot at lead roles, and even here, they are often in support of a penguin. They are both relatable and excellent here. Reno does nice work conveying a broken man who rediscovers joy after so much sorrow. It's also interesting to see DinDim's initial trip and how he became separated from the colony. Of course, much of this is speculation, although we do know that this penguin returned to Joao for eight consecutive years, and actual clips are shown at the end of the film. Director Schurmann has delivered a film that could be enjoyed by families, with only the early tragedy being a point of concern.

Opening in theaters on August 16, 2024.

Inspired by a true story, My Penguin Friend follows a fisherman named João (Jean Reno) making friends with a penguin he rescued from an oil spill. An unlikely bond that will know no boundaries and will catch attention worldwide.

Directed by David Schurmann and written by Kristen Lazarian and Paulina Lagudi Ulrich, the movie explores the theme of friendship in an honest and beautiful way. A friendship that illustrates the lengths we can go for someone we love. Jean Reno and the penguin, most of the time a real one instead of CGI, possess a chemistry that transcends the screen, rendering an endearing and charming experience. Like the reporter told João, this is a unique friendship that gives hope. It is like they found in the other what they needed, the missing part in their lives, something that can be seen from the moment they met and the strong connection they manifested. After the reluctance of Maria (Adriana Barraza) to have a penguin in their house and João assuring her it will only be a matter of days till he is healthy and prepared again, the penguin found in João someone he could trust. From making him a special attire, building him the equivalent of a penguin's nest outside of his house, to making sure he is well fed by buying him fish, it is clear João considers the penguin as an important new part of his life. In his own words, when asked if he was his pet: "Not my pet. He's my friend." The same can be said about Dindim, named like that by the daughter of a local friend of João. Dindim's unwillingness in abandoning his new friend is seen from the moment when João takes him to the island so, now healthy again, he can be free to go anywhere he wants to. The penguin cooing as a way to tell him he wants to be with him is simply too cute, like those moments where he is seen cuddling in João's lap.

The aspect epitomizing how special this relation is is Dindim swimming over five thousand miles between Valdés Peninsula, Argentina, and Ilha Grande, Brazil, to visit his friend. The yearly routine consists of his coming back in June and departing by December, a fact exemplifying the nature of their bond as one between friends, pairs, and not owner and pet. As João indicated in a TV interview, "He comes and goes as he pleases." Treating animals as equals in a world where they are still traded like assets, harmed, and utilized for questionable experiments that regard their whole existence not as something intrinsically worthy but at the service of their masters, us humans, is something radically important and beautiful in its expansiveness of respect and love towards other species besides one's own.

The journey Dindim undertakes every year could be equated to the journey traveled by João, if only metaphorically. Owing to a traumatic event in the fisherman's life, an aspect the movie utilizes to add expressiveness to more dramatic layers, he will find in Dindim not only a new best friend but also an answer to appease the hunting voices of the past and find solace and happiness again.

If this movie had a bigger marketing push, I don't doubt that it would be a hit as big as Life of Pi or We Bought a Zoo.

The cinematography was beautiful, every scene full of life and detail. There's a lot of heart and pain on the screen, but it's very much a story of love and acceptance. Often, accepting the hard parts of life, like grief.

The movie spans many years, so there's a depth to the feelings of each of the characters that develops beautifully on screen, and even though there is plenty unsaid, the movie clearly trusts the audience to gather the details for themselves.

All said, I would love a penguin friend myself.

When is the last time you went to a movie that left you feeling good about humanity? This quiet little gem is perfect for pretty much anybody, even people who are too cool to admit they like it but secretly do anyway. Part animal story, part commentary on healing the broken human heart, I got to see this at a local art movie theater and enjoyed it thoroughly. Support tender little films like this at your local art house to show that we need more of them made and appreciate them when the effort is taken to do so. Excellent cast, unusual setting, cute penguins and beautiful scenery, this film has all you need to walk out of the theater smiling.

This movie needs a trigger warning for anyone with any adult sensibilities . I was watching it and thought of the line from 'The Godfather' : "leave the gun , take the cannoli." " take the children, leave the adults " If you are under 7 years old AND you would not be reading this if you were, you could really enjoy this movie. Jean in the lead role Reno was actually quite good, no, the only and best part of the movie. And the Penguin is of course quite charming but otherwise the movie is off the charts on the 'groan meter' Cellular phone communication on the beach in Patagonia ? The acting and script is just plain old lame. Look, it is a heartwarming tale 'inspired by' , what ? Something that actually happened, true enough but the dialogue , acting and narrative are more implausible than you could possibly imagine. One feels embarrassed for the people in the movie. The Penguin was absolutely the star; he didn't have to say any lines.

My Penguin Friend was truly a fantastic film. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it really touched my heart. I loved this story of friendship and how you can grow from tragedy. The fact that it was based on a true story made it that much more inspiring. The penguin, Dindim is so precious and made this film so special. Something about the bond between a man and a wild animal really captivates you as well as an entire community coming together to support their friendship. There is so much kindness in this film which is so refreshing. Beware this film will pull at your heartstrings but My Penguin Friend is truly a must see film!!

It's been decades since Jean Reno last appeared in a role where he played a reclusive, protective child, and now, with David Schurman's "My Penguin Friend," he returns to the formula that has always been a hit.

In this emotional, all-ages story, Reno plays a grieving father who begins a sweet and meaningful friendship with a baby penguin after rescuing it from oil-slicked waters. The film is inspired by the unbreakable bond between a Brazilian fisherman and a Magellanic penguin that strayed from its migratory path. Jean Reno's performance in this role displays a new range of emotions and captures the film's humorous and sad moments with sensitivity and delicacy, making this a must-see for audiences interested in inspiring stories of redemption, resilience, and empathy.

I just don't get how some people have given it a score over 4. The movie is ABSOLUTELY terrible, it's cringe, childlishy dramatic, and evidently the job of people that's new to directing and acting. Couldn't stand how overdramatic it was. I watched the whole thing because my sister, who also thought was an awful movie, thought she'd prefer staying to watch it cause we had paid for it, and the movie didn't get better at all.

The girl was exaggeratedly overacted, the only good performance was that of the main character but this is only because he is an experienced actor. The music made no sense or changed quickly. The only redeeming feature of the film was the cinematography, as it had beautiful scenery and captured it well. But the rest was absolutely terrible.

One penguin is a little different than the rest. It gets lost during migration. João Pereira de Souza (Jean Reno) is a fisherman in tropical Brazil. He and his wife have been heartbroken since losing their son a long time ago. He finds the struggling penguin soaked in oil. He nurses it back to health.

This is a sincere feel-good tearjerker inspired by a true story. Inspired usually means highly fictionalized. I would fictionalize a few more things and change one thing around. I would make João a hermit and cancel his wife. It would heighten his loneliness and intensify his losses. Second, I would cut out the opening death scene of his son. Let Jean Reno tell the story instead. Give him his award-tape moment. It really helps to have veteran Jean Reno looking old. I'm not sure about the researchers. Maybe they need the head researcher to play the heavy.

I went into My Penguin Friend expecting a sweet nature drama. What I got was warmth, quiet grief, and a real sense of wonder-thanks to Jean Reno's grounded performance and the undeniable charm of a rescued penguin. The story is gentle and familiar, but it left me smiling... and teary.

✅ What I Loved

1. Jean Reno carries its emotional weight His portrayal of João, a man moved by loss and unexpectedly healed by this little creature, brings sincerity and salt-of-the-earth charm. He's vulnerable, cautious, and endearing.

2. The penguin scenes feel authentic Approximately 80% of the penguin footage uses real penguins, lending a tactile charm that CGI simply couldn't match. That intimacy translates directly to the story's heart.

3. Stunning seaside visuals Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle captures luminous beaches and azure waters-with heartfelt low-angle shots that reflect penguin-eye wonder.

4. Family-friendly emotional core It's a healing arc: João, struggling with grief, rediscovers hope through a small act of kindness. The bond formed feels real, even uplifting, especially for younger viewers.

❌ What Didn't Fully Land

1. Predictably paced It follows the "fish out of water" and "healed heart" template closely. It's warm and mellow, but doesn't surprise.

2. Subplots feel routine Scenes with researchers studying the penguin, while important, sometimes stall the flow-and lack the emotional punch of the central story.

3. CGI penguins jar attention Most of the visuals are seamless, but a few ocean-swimming CGI shots feel noticeably off and out of place.

🌟 Standout Moment

Watching the penguin "DinDim" return year after year-despite migrating thousands of miles-felt profoundly moving. That loyalty speaks louder than any line of dialogue.

🎥 Final Thoughts

7.8 out of 10 My Penguin Friend is a quiet hug on screen: it won't change your world, but it will remind you how small acts of compassion can make a big difference. It's tender, scenic, and heartfelt-perfect for families or anyone needing a little emotional reset.

🎥 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy:

1. Dolphin Tale (2011) - Healing bond between man and a wild animal

2. The Wolf and the Lion (2022) - Friendship beyond species with nature's majesty

3. The Penguin Lessons (2024) - Another true story about unlikely penguin politics

4. My Octopus Teacher (2020) - A soul-stirring human-animal connection

5. Free Willy (1993) - Classic tale of aquatic friendship and freedom.

My Penguin Friend is an extraordinary film that beautifully portrays the heartwarming relationship between a man and a penguin. The movie excels with its breathtaking visuals and a deeply moving narrative that explores themes of love, kindness, and the profound connections we share with animals. The storytelling is engaging and heartfelt, making it a visual treat and an emotional journey. This film stands out as one of the most memorable and impactful movies I've ever seen, blending uniqueness with emotional depth into an unforgettable cinematic experience that resonates deeply with viewers. Truly beautiful.

This was such a heartfelt and loving story. It is not your typical Hollywood movie but rather showed real emotion, the highs and lows and overall love that was shared between a man and a penguin. I loved that real penguins were used versus using CGI or animation that can sometimes make storytelling feel inauthentic and not natural. It really showcases how all walks of life crave human interaction. It was well documented and you could feel the connection through the screen. DinDim helped a man heal and find true meaning again. It was beautifully and wonderfully made and everyone should see it!!

OK as a movie for children up to maximum 8 years old, anyone more than 8 years old will find this movie boring and stupid and totally unrealistic. The story could bo good for the entire family if they had stuck to the true events instead of inventing all these ridiculously fake situations. The dialogues are terrible, as if they are written by Chat GPT with a prompt to make adults speak as if they were 6 year-olds, and appear even more fake due to the fact that the actors clearly are not speaking their native language. OK this is a low budget movie but even low budget movies can be good, they don't need to be this bad.

Such an amazing movie and so so heartwarming. Great storytelling along with cute penguins, so the movie is great for both parents and kids to see together. It was not boring, but not too fast that you dont get to see the story develop naturally. It was a perfect balance of everything you want to see in a good movie. I would watch this again and would recommend anyone that hasn't seen it yet. Also would recommend it to anyone who has kids, you will enjoy it just as much as them. Get into theaters as soon as you can, you will not want to miss the opportunity to see this movie with your family!!!

I cried in this movie as it's so moving especially seeing what the Penguin had to go through to go to his beloved master who saved him.

The movie is very similar to Hachi: A Dog's Tale with Richard Gere based on a true story.

It's a moving movie and training a Penguin to do and play the best parts is not so easy. I can imagine the trainer how many hours they repeated the shots to get what was required to progress the movie.

The movie lacked a strong direction and one time makes one feel angry when the penguinologist/ornithology sends a tv camera crew to interview João and then kidnap DinDim the beloved Penguin who was crossing doing the 5000 miles journey from Argentina to Brazil for 8 continuous years.

A film to be seen with the whole family. It begins with beautiful photography with scenes on the Argentine and Brazilian coastline. It shows a little about the daily life of penguins and their entire migratory journey. The central theme is inspired by a real story, which makes everything more moving. Jean Reno in another of his fantastic performances in the life of one of the main characters, the other, obviously the Penguin. The script managed to hold your attention from start to finish. The two environments, Patagonia, where the penguin lives with other penguins and the coast of Brazil are portrayed majestically. Sensitivity was what the director, actors and everyone who filmed this magnificent story lacked. Highly recommended!

This movie is brilliantly executed by the director David Schurmann. You will definitely need to bring at least one box of tissues as this movie tugs on heart string you don't know you even had. The story is not only about loss and heartache but what can come after, the hidden joys right around the corner, things you'll never expect but will change your life forever. This movie portrays a sense of community and companionship not only from those around us but from an otherwise surprising and unique source. The world can be cruel and unforgiving but there is also hope and light. This movie isn't worth just a single watch, it's worth millions: tell your friends, your family, strangers on the internet, everyone.

You can tell My Penguin Friend is a labor of love! It's an adorable story that inspires hope and navigates the complexities of grief through an animal-human relationship. The penguin truly feels alive and emotional, and his real bond with the protagonist is evident. Good for all ages. The acting is empowered without the need for all the bells and whistles of a big studio. Definitely worth the trip to the movie theater if you are looking for a touching movie with a plot that feels real and intensive; there is no cheapness simply for plot convenience and the message is natural and unforced. Go see it!