My Penguin Friend

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.

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.

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.

A must-see for those who love uplifting stories about redemption, perseverance and empathy.

My Penguin Friend is ultimately a charming story of quiet resilience and healing as much as it is about a man and a bird.

The sight of that cute penguin waddling on the beach and loving on his human friend that’ll win you over.

“My Penguin Friend” is a harmless enough diversion for kids, a throwback to the cheaply produced live-action “Wonderful World of Disney” entries of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Just don’t believe half of what’s in it.

It’s an inspiring story for sure, but it also takes grief and suffering seriously.

Acting is well done, and Jean Reno never gives a dull performance.

You know those viral animal videos that make their way through Facebook? This feels like an extended movie of that... It just never won me over.