The new film The Penguin Lessons, directed by Peter Cattaneo, features a unique relationship between an English teacher and a penguin. Based on Tom Michell’s 2015 memoir, the movie takes place against the political unrest of 1976 Argentina. The story follows Michell (played by Steve Coogan), an emotionally distant teacher at a boys’ school, who rescues a Magellan penguin from an oil spill on a Uruguayan beach. His initial motive? To impress a woman. But when she leaves, Michell finds himself stuck with the bird, whom he names Juan Salvador. Over time, this unlikely companion helps him open up, rebuild relationships, and regain his political ideals.
As the film unfolds, we watch Michell try to get rid of his new friend, but Juan Salvador persistently waddles back into his life. Eventually, Michell brings the penguin across the Argentine border and settles him on the school’s terrace. The penguin’s charm soon works on the staff and students, who find comfort in feeding him—and more importantly, in sharing their personal troubles with him.
In his memoir, Michell reflected on the penguin’s role as a quiet listener, offering a non-judgmental space for others. “Juan Salvador was such a good listener,” Michell writes. “He never interrupted, always looked people in the eye, and absorbed everything they said. He made people feel heard, as though they could talk to him as a friend.”
The Penguin Lessons fits into a well-established cinematic tradition. From King Kong to John Wick, there’s a subgenre of films where a man’s emotional growth is aided by an animal. In these stories, men who are struggling emotionally often find unexpected healing through animals they initially kept at a distance. These films may feature animals that help men confront trauma, process grief, or just reconnect with their emotions. In the case of The Penguin Lessons, the penguin’s silent companionship is a key turning point for Michell, helping him overcome emotional detachment and embrace vulnerability.
This type of emotional awakening is often portrayed through the bond between men and animals. Dr. Chris Blazina, a psychologist, has studied the emotional attachment that men form with pets, particularly dogs. In a 2019 study, he noted that many men feel more emotionally connected to their pets than to human relationships. This attachment, he argues, can be a lifeline for men who struggle with emotional detachment. He points out that the security and understanding that come from a relationship with an animal can be especially important for men in middle age or beyond.
Dr. Blazina explains that men often form close bonds with animals because these relationships can develop privately, without the pressure of social expectations. Unlike human relationships, which can be complicated and fraught with misunderstandings, pets offer unconditional support and a safe space for men to express themselves.
In movies like Dog (2022) and Pig (2021), characters find emotional healing with their animal companions. These animals provide a safe space where men can work through suppressed feelings and connect with others more deeply. As Blazina puts it, “We’re hardwired to connect. Sometimes, we put up walls to hide that need, but with animals, it’s easier to let those walls down.”
The bond between men and dogs, in particular, has a special place in both cinema and popular culture. Dogs appear in a range of films, from soulful dramas like The Call of the Wild (1997) to the action-packed John Wick franchise (2014-). These films often depict dogs as loyal companions who help their human counterparts face difficult emotions, from grief to loneliness. The emotional impact of these films is so strong that some websites, like “Does the Dog Die?”, cater to sensitive viewers who want to prepare for the heart-wrenching moments when a pet passes away.
Animals, especially dogs, play a central role in films that explore themes of emotional healing. Meanwhile, other animals—such as primates—are often portrayed in a more complex light. From the mischievous monkeys of Monkey Trouble (1994) to the giant ape in King Kong (1933), these animals challenge human characters and often represent the darker sides of humanity.
In The Penguin Lessons, Juan Salvador’s role as a silent listener highlights the power of animal companionship. Michell’s realization that the penguin brought comfort and tranquility to those around him echoes a sentiment shared by many who have experienced a deep bond with an animal. As Michell writes in his memoir, “How was it that a penguin brought such comfort and tranquility to the people whose lives he touched?”
Ultimately, The Penguin Lessons taps into a broader cinematic theme about the power of animals to help people confront their emotions. Through Coogan’s portrayal of Michell, the film shows how an unexpected companion can help strip away layers of emotional defense. In the end, the penguin’s presence creates space for emotional vulnerability, much like the animal companions that have helped men in other films connect more authentically with others.
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