PENGUIN BLOOM, Australia/UK, 2020. Starring Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, Griffin Murray-Johnston, Jacki Weaver, Rachel House, Leeanna Walsman, Lisa Hensley, Gia Carides, Abe Clifford-Barr. Directed by Glendyn Ivin. 95 minutes. Rated PG (Mild themes and coarse language)
Penguin Bloom is an enjoyable film. It is based on a true story and is set in the beaches along the Sydney coast. It is a story about a family, joy, tragedy, and some inspiration for hope. And, one of its central characters, and an emblem, is a wounded magpie who is nicknamed Penguin. (The Australian classification is PG, with the advice: mild themes and coarse language – but, presumably this means mild coarse language, but this reviewer did not hear any.)
We are introduced to the Bloom family by the oldest of three sons, Noah (Murray-Johnston), who is more introspective type than his two raucous younger brothers. He begins to tell the story of his parents, their friendship since childhood, their marriage, surfing and the sea, their children, and their time together during a holiday in Thailand.
Early in the film, we learn the mother, Sam has lent against a fence on a rooftop, where the rotting wood rotting gave way, and the fall resulted in her confinement to a wheelchair. Sam is played, convincingly, by Watts (who also went on a holiday to Thailand in the film, The Impossible, and experienced the disaster of the tsunami). Her husband is played by British actor, Andrew Lincoln, a stalwart of the television series, The Walking Dead. Weaver is Sam’s fussy and ever-tidying mother, over-emotionally worrying about her daughter.
While the family live in a comfortable beachside house, that can be little comfort when one is confined to a wheelchair, confined to the house, unwilling to move outside, preoccupied with the injury and daily pain, and the danger of indulging in self-pity. Cam, Sam’s husband, a photographer, does his best to deal with the daily tasks, the boys’ lunches, getting them off to school… But Sam is unwilling to go outside.
Then Noah finds a wounded magpie and brings it into the house, naming her Penguin. Clearly, the wounded Penguin becomes a symbol for Sam. Their wounds, confinement and, ultimately, their fate, become bound together.
It is Penguin who brings Sam out of herself. It begins when Noah asks his mother to take care of the bird while he is at school. Initially unwilling, the bond starts to build when Sam has to rescue Penguin from being trapped in spilt honey (the family have bees and produce honey). And so the parallels between Sam and Penguin emerge.
Part of the joy of the film is Cam’s wonderful suggestion that Sam take up kayaking. She loved water, has strength in her upper body and arms. And part of the joy for the audience is getting to meet Gaye (House), the genial, wonderfully friendly but demanding kayak coach.
And Penguin? Does she find her own independence and new life?
It is good to see photos of the actual family during the final credits, especially of Sam, and knowing the family was much involved in the film’s production. Ivin has built a reputation for directing intelligent and interesting television programs and series (The Cry, Safe Harbour). Kudos too to the magpie trainers and handlers (the cast list has the names of the 10 magpies that played Penguin).
Roadshow
Released 21 January
Peter Malone MSC is an associate Jesuit Media