Name: The Penguin Lessons
Released: 2025-03-27

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.

What is the plot?

While the movie "The Penguin Lessons" is scheduled for release in 2024, not 2025, I can provide the narrative based on the available information. Here is the story of the film:

The movie begins with a disillusioned itinerant educator named Tom Michell, who arrives at St. George's College, an exclusive boys' school in Argentina. It is 1976, and the country is on the brink of turmoil with the escalating Argentine coup d'état. Tom, a somewhat mopey character, is tasked with teaching English and coaching rugby. He befriends Maria, his housekeeper, and her granddaughter Sofia, who is a political activist deeply involved in protests against the coup.

As events unfold, Tom and his friend Tapio, the science teacher, embark on a trip to Uruguay. During this getaway, a bombing in the city forces students back home, and Tom finds himself at a dance club where he meets a woman named Carina. They share an evening, but it ends with Carina rejecting Tom's advances, revealing she is married.

The next day, Tom and Carina discover an oil slick on the beach, where they find several dead Magellanic penguins and one surviving bird covered in oil. They decide to take the penguin to their hotel room to clean it. Despite the initial intention to release the penguin back into the wild, it keeps returning to Tom. Reluctantly, he decides to smuggle the penguin back to Argentina, dodging customs and the strict "no pets" policy at St. George's.

Back at the school, Tom names the penguin Juan Salvador. Despite initial reluctance, Tom forms a deep bond with Juan Salvador, who becomes an unlikely friend. Maria and Sofia are immediately charmed by the penguin, and Tom introduces it to his class. The presence of Juan Salvador has a profound effect on the students, who begin to excel in their studies and bond with each other. However, this newfound success is threatened by the school's strict headmaster, Buckle, who is unaware of the penguin's presence.

As the story progresses, Tom's connection with Juan Salvador deepens, and he begins to confront his past traumas. The film also explores the political unrest in Argentina, as Sofia's activism becomes more risky. The military coup's impact on the characters forces Tom to make difficult choices between standing up for what he believes in or staying silent to remain safe.

The film's climax involves Tom navigating these challenges while maintaining his relationship with Juan Salvador. The penguin becomes a symbol of resilience and companionship in a time of turmoil. The ending, though not explicitly detailed in the available information, likely involves Tom's growth as a person and educator, influenced by his experiences with Juan Salvador and the political climate of Argentina.

Note: The narrative is based on the plot of "The Penguin Lessons" as described in the available sources, but the exact details of the ending are not provided.

What is the ending?

⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal

Short Narrative Ending

In The Penguin Lessons, Tom Michell, a disillusioned teacher, finds an oil-soaked penguin during a trip and decides to keep it, naming it Juan Salvador. As Michell cares for the penguin, he begins to open up emotionally and connect with his students and colleagues. The penguin becomes a symbol of hope and change, helping Michell confront his past traumas and get involved in the local resistance against the Argentine military coup. Ultimately, Michell learns valuable lessons about connection, courage, and the power of unexpected friendships.

Expanded Narrative Ending

The ending of The Penguin Lessons unfolds as a transformative journey for Tom Michell, both personally and professionally. Here's a detailed narrative from the pivotal scenes leading to the conclusion:

Introduction of Juan Salvador

Tom Michell, while on a brief escape from his teaching duties at St. George's College in Argentina, finds himself in Uruguay, where he encounters an oil slick on the beach. Among the dead penguins, one survives, and Michell, with the help of a woman named Carina, decides to take the penguin in. After a brief romance attempt fails, Michell is left alone with the penguin, which he names Juan Salvador. Despite initial reluctance, Michell smuggles Juan Salvador back to his school, defying the strict "no pets" policy.

The Penguin's Impact on Michell

As Michell cares for Juan Salvador, the penguin becomes an unexpected catalyst for Michell's emotional awakening. The penguin's presence helps Michell connect with his housekeeper, Maria, and her granddaughter Sofia, who are involved in the local resistance against the military coup. This exposure slowly draws Michell out of his emotional shell, encouraging him to engage more deeply with his students and the political turmoil around him.

Integration into School Life

Michell introduces Juan Salvador to his students, using the penguin as a teaching tool. The students are immediately charmed, and this newfound connection helps Michell bond with them on a deeper level. The penguin becomes a secret companion, fed fish by the students under the guise of a clandestine project. This shared secret strengthens Michell's relationships with his students, making them more attentive and engaged in class.

Confronting Past Trauma and Political Turmoil

As Michell becomes more involved with the penguin and his students, he is also drawn into the political resistance by Sofia's activism. This exposure forces Michell to confront his past traumas and reevaluate his stance on the world around him. The subplot involving the underground movement against the Argentine military coup adds tension and depth to Michell's character development. He begins to see the world through the eyes of those around him, particularly Sofia, who faces personal risks for her activism.

Climactic Resolution

The climax of the film involves Michell's growing involvement in the resistance and his decision to stand up against the oppressive regime. This is symbolized through his care for Juan Salvador, which has become a symbol of resilience and hope. The penguin's presence continues to inspire Michell to take action, culminating in a dramatic confrontation where Michell must choose between remaining silent or supporting those fighting for freedom.

Final Scenes

The final scenes show Michell having undergone a significant transformation, from a detached teacher to a person deeply invested in his community and the well-being of those around him. Juan Salvador remains a central figure, representing the transformative power of unexpected relationships and the courage to face adversity. The film concludes on a hopeful note, with Michell embracing his new role as an advocate for change, inspired by the lessons he learned from his unlikely friendship with a penguin.

Is this family friendly?

The movie The Penguin Lessons (2025) is generally a loveable dramatic comedy with a heartwarming story about a teacher and a rescued penguin, but it contains several elements that may be unsuitable or upsetting for children or sensitive viewers.

Key points regarding family-friendliness and potentially objectionable content include:

Rating and language: The film is rated PG-13 and contains some foul/coarse language.
Adult themes: It deals with political turmoil, specifically the Argentine military coup and the Dirty War, which introduces themes of oppression, fear, and political violence, shown in a restrained but potent way. These aspects can be intense or upsetting.
Violence and bullying: There are scenes involving teenage bullying, including tying a classmate's hands and pretending to torture him in the context of the coup's ideological conflict. Though not graphic, this could be disturbing for younger children.
Animal distress: The film includes a scene with the bodies of dead penguins killed by an oil spill, which might be upsetting for animal-sensitive viewers and children.
Death: The story involves the death of the penguin Juan Salvador, which is emotional and could be difficult for sensitive children.
Subtle adult content: There is a scene with the protagonist meeting a woman in a nightclub, implying mild adult themes.

Overall, while the film has a heartfelt message and charming elements, it is better suited for adolescents (13+) and adults due to its mature themes, some distressing scenes related to political violence, animal death, and coarse language. Parents should exercise caution and consider their child's sensitivity to such content before viewing.

Does the dog die?