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.

This sweet little movie won’t change your life, but as a story about people – and animals! – whose lives were changed for the better, it will warm your heart a little.

A heart-warming true story of a fisherman who rescues a penguin and is rewarded with annual visits from his friend for years.

“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.