September 27 & 28 | Friday & Saturday | 1 hour, 37 minutes | Rated PG |
This Brazilian-American film about a Brazilian fisherman who rescues a penguin smeared by an oil spill is delightful and wonderful. Jean Reno is reliable and relatable as always as the fisherman, and the penguin is played by 10 different live penguins for 80% of the shots, with the remaining special effects being 15% digital and 5% animatronics. It’s a lovely story that is based on real life, but unlike many “almost true” stories doesn’t really go in for schmaltzy or saccharine, just sweet and loveable. It currently has an 97% Popcornmeter (Audience Score) on Rotten Tomatoes.
“My Penguin Friend is an utterly likable and disarming film. It’s clear that this is one instance where the words “inspired by a true story” are not just movie marketing hyperbole.” -Leonard Maltin, LeonardMaltin.com
“The real story of Joao and Dindim was always good enough for a big screen version, and while My Penguin Friend might inflate some parts of this particular fish tale, the result is the same: true feeling and a cute little guy to help share them.” -Kate Erbland, indieWire
“My Penguin Friend could have been cute, but it’s not. Something in the way director David Schurmann films the penguin brings out the animal’s essential dignity.” -Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
“It’s an earnest, crowd-pleasing family film – nothing snarky or self-referential, no on-the-nose needle drops – just a sweet, beautifully made movie that earns the emotion it’ll surely draw from its viewers.” -Christy Lemire, RogerEbert.com
“A must-see for those who love uplifting stories about redemption, perseverance and empathy.” -Courtney Howard, Variety
“My Penguin Friend is ultimately a charming story of quiet resilience and healing as much as it is about a man and a bird.” -Richard Whittaker, Austin Chronicle
“The sight of that cute penguin waddling on the beach and loving on his human friend that’ll win you over.” -Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
My Penguin Friend opens at The Clyde Friday, September 27, and shows Friday & Saturday only at 7:30.
