People love penguins, and penguins are big money at the box office. Sony Pictures Classics knows this, and have released the second trailer this month for cute family comedy The Penguin Lessons. The film is based on a true story, and stars Steve Coogan as a British schoolteacher in 1976 whose life is turned around when he rescues an orphaned penguin. Penguins are much easier to teach than unruly schoolkids.
The film is directed by Peter Cattaneo, best known for directing one of the most successful international comedies ever, The Full Monty. He most recently directed Military Wives in 2019. The script is by Philomena writer Jeff Pope, adapting Tom Michell’s 2016 memoir.
Joining Coogan in the cast are Jonathan Pryce, Vivian El Jaber, Björn Gustafsson, and Alfonsina Carrocio.
SYNOPSIS: Inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.
The Penguin Lessons opens in theaters on March 28th. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year.
