The Penguin Lessons

critic Reviews

, 78% Certified Fresh Tomatometer Score
  • The Penguin Lessons is appealing even if it curiously elides some disturbing geopolitical history, and is elevated by a winning performance from Steve Coogan with a little help from a lovable pint-sized companion.
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Kevin MaherTimes (UK)
    Yes, it’s ostensibly sweet and inoffensive. But it’s so inoffensive that it’s almost, well, offensive.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Tim RobeyDaily Telegraph (UK)
    Peter Cattaneo...is normally a surer hand with shading, but the script by Coogan’s regular collaborator Jeff Pope...also keeps defaulting to penguin lols – it waddles, it’s cute, repeat – rather than giving the ensemble much to do.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Wendy IdeObserver (UK)
    Adapted from Tom Michell’s autobiographical book, The Penguin Lessons counters the inspirational teacher cliches with a bumbling charm that’s boosted considerably by a first-rate performance from the scene-stealing penguin.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Stephen RomeiThe Australian
    This movie is enjoyable to watch and has its serious side. At the end of the day, though, it’s mainly about a schoolteacher and a penguin. The political upheaval is there but it is not examined in any detail.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Clarisse LoughreyIndependent (UK)
    Sure, penguins can do an impressive amount. But, despite what The Penguins Lessons implies, that does not extend to singlehandedly defeating fascism.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Linda MarricThe Sun (UK)
    While the film offers heartwarming moments and gentle humour, it ultimately plays it safe ­– neither fully embracing its quirky premise or digging into its historica setting.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Luke GoodsellABC News (Australia)
    Coogan does nice work shading the moral ambiguities of his character, although the movie is ultimately resistant to exploring the thornier aspects of its political backdrop.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Lael LoewensteinFilmWeek (LAist)
    In trying to be all things to all audiences, it became not enough to any of them.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Manuel BetancourtFilmWeek (LAist)
    Coogan is fantastic, as always, but he could not make this work.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Sean P. MeansThe Movie Cricket
    Just think of any movie you’ve ever seen about a teacher, from “Dead Poets Society” to “Dangerous Minds” — and add a penguin.
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