Jean Reno strength of ‘My Penguin Friend’
Credit Jean Reno with elevating “My Penguin Friend” from the basic kind of animal centric productions that companies such as Disney Studios produced for so many years. Those offerings worked on a general basis but never went too deep emotionally, opting not to alienate those who were drawn in by whichever animal was in the spotlight.
As is obvious from the title, it is a penguin that serves as the tentpole for this tale. Had director David Schurmann never pushed past the based-on-a-true story elements, the film would have been a fun and family friendly production. Thankfully, there is a push.
Reno is like a magical sauce added to the mix that turns the average into highly enjoyable. This was not an easy task as Reno’s character of Jo?o spends most of the film in an emotional cesspool. It is easy for a film to become sour if the main character is enveloped in too much darkness.
That never happens as Reno plays both the anguished and exalted parts of the character with equal strength. His strong performance coupled with the quite cute critter co-star lifts this film.
Jo?o (played at the beginning of the film by Pedro Urizzi) is a father, husband and fisherman living in a small village near Rio de Janeiro. It is a tranquil and pleasing life that is shattered by a tragedy at sea.
Fast forward decades and Jo?o (now played by Reno) is a broken man who has lost interest in life. This forlorn nature could have been his demise if it wasn’t for the unexpected arrival of a saving grace.
Jo?o discovers a penguin drifting alone in the ocean. The creature is covered in oil from a spill. Despite his own resignation from life, Jo?o instinctively decides to rescue the flightless bird that would come to be known as DinDim.
This is where Schurmann opens up the film to new potential. The rescue of the penguin is a good human interest story. It is the way Reno plays the scenes that is to be admired. His face gets across all the emotions he is feeling as the rescuer becomes the rescued.
The film dips into a standard animal movie genre offering as man and bird separate when it is time for DinDim to travel the thousands of miles back to his home. Jo?o is left not knowing if he will ever see DinDim again.
The time the penguin is on his own is less interesting whether it be the penguin’s return to the only waddle he has ever known. Editor’s note: A waddle is a group of penguins on land. They are known as a raft when in the water.
A group of scientists studying the penguins enter the picture, but they are two-dimensional characters used to fill in some of the slow moments when DinDIm and Jo?o are apart. There are also some point-of-view moments that come across as just a little too gimmicky but Schurmann shows just enough restraint that those moments don’t do any permanent damage to the film.
Eventually, DinDim does return to Jo?o and the pair further solidify their bond. This connection between man and bird becomes a global phenomenon when Jo?o agrees to do an interview for a news crew.
The real story made news around the world. And what unfolds in this film never goes too far beyond that story. There was no need because the connection between man and bird was enough to win hearts then and now.
What makes the film version of that story worth its own attention is Reno. While “My Penguin Friend” could be looked at as little more than a buddy picture, the essence goes far deeper.
This is a story about the transformative power of love. Just when it seems like the pain is too unbearable, a small unplanned connection is all the proof needed as a reminder that even in the darkest world, a small light can make a massive difference.
All you need to understand what is happening is one look at Reno’s face. It says everything that needs to be said.
“My Penguin Friend” opens in theaters Friday.
Movie review
My Penguin Friend
Grade: B
Cast: Jean Reno, Adriana Barraza, Pedro Urizzi, Alexia Moyano
Director: David Schurmann
Rated: PG for peril
Running time: 97 minutes.
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