'My Penguin Friend' review: Tale of unusual long-distance bond is touching

Aug. 14—It's not easy to think of a much sweeter story than that of a man who rescues and cares for a penguin he finds, which in turn not only befriends him but swims thousands of miles each year to spend several months with him.

That is the true story of Joao Pereira de Souza, who in 2011 made his penguin friend, DinDim, which delighted folks the world over.

Their adorable bond is the inspiration for the charming family-friendly film "My Penguin Friend," which wades and waddles its way into theaters this week.

Starring well-known French actor Jean Reno, as Joao, and Mexican star Adriana Barraza, as Joao's initially befuddled wife, Maria, "My Penguin Friend" is written by Kristen Lazarian and Paulina Lagudi and helmed by David Schurmann.

The writers and Schurmann — director of "Little Secret," Brazil's official Academy Awards representative in 2017 — take a less-is-more approach with "My Penguin Friend," which could have used a bit more in the story department.

There is some invention, of course, the film introducing us to younger versions of fisherman Joao (Pedro Urizzi) and Maria (Amanda Magalh?es), along with their son, Miguel (Juan José Garnica), who live along the water of Ilha Grande, an island off the coast of Brazil. On this day — one before the fifth-grader's birthday — we see that theirs is a happy home, Miguel joking with Joao that he smells like "stinky fish," resulting in Dad deciding to spread that particular gift to his son (and wife) via a group hug.

The next morning, despite concerning weather, Joao gives into his son's wish that he take Miguel out on the water with him. It is a choice that will change him forever.

Years later, Reno's Joao barely speaks to the other fishermen, one referring to him as "broken."

Enter the penguin.

Swimming from the coast of Patagonia, Argentina, at migration time along with scores of other Magellanic penguins, our winged but flightless hero runs afoul of oil from a ship.

Spotting the bird in the water feet from the shore, Joao wraps it up, brings it home and begins to care for the creature.

"I will get you clean," he promises. "Look at this oil on you."

Maria isn't thrilled with the prospect of hosting this guest, but Joao assures his wife the penguin needs but a few days to rest. After a week, Joao asks for another.

He does attempt to take the penguin — by now given the name DinDim by Lucia (Duda Galvao), the daughter of Miguel's childhood friend Calista (Thalma de Freitas) — away from the village to a spot from which he believes the penguin can swim home.

Of course, that's not the last the two will see each other.

Maria seems to be noticing a change for the better in her husband, thanks to DinDim, but she still acts a bit frustrated after Joao builds a little living structure for his little buddy.

"It is for the penguin!" he says proudly.

"EVERYTHING is for the penguin!" she says.

Eventually, genuine conflict will emerge in the narrative, indirectly caused by well-meaning biologists Adriana (Alexia Moyano) and Carlos (Nicolás Francella), who are studying the penguins of Patagonia.

You can understand Schurmann and company choosing to keep the tale pretty basic, as the director insisted on using real penguins, as opposed to animatronics or digital effects, with 10 penguins ultimately portraying DinDim.

In the production notes, he credits trainer Fabian Gabelli, whom he calls "a penguin whisperer," for things going so well during the shoot. Furthermore, it's funny to read that, perhaps, more chaos ensued from the fact that the Brazilian production boasted "a Brazilian director, a British cinematographer, an Argentine production designer and a cast from across North America, South America and Europe," many of whom, he says, were speaking different languages. (If you're wondering, "My Penguin Friend" is an English-language film.)

Perhaps a top goal was to make the film suitable for children, and it should be for most, although parents should be aware of a scene or two in the third act in which things do not look so promising for DinDim.

With enjoyable performances from Reno ("The Da Vinci Code," "Flushed Away"), Barraza ("Amores Perros," "Babel") and, last but not least, all the penguins, "My Penguin Friend" is easy to recommend even as it leaves you wanting a bit more from it.

This story of healing and of a friend, not a pet, that comes and goes as it wishes will put a smile on your face ... and, just maybe, a tear in your eye.

'My Penguin Friend'

Where: Theaters.

When: Aug. 16.

Rated: PG for thematic content.

Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes.

Stars (of four): 3.

Originally Published: August 14, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.