Penguin Bloom is a film that most audiences would enjoy seeing. It is based on a true story – with a fine culmination for those not familiar with the story of the characters. It is set in Sydney, along the coast with its beaches. 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, a more introspective type than his two younger brothers who are raucous-personified! 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.
But, very early in the film, we learn that the mother, Sam, has lent against a fence on a rooftop, some of the wood rotting, giving way, and her falling, and confined to a wheelchair. She is played, very convincingly, by Naomi 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. And Jacki Weaver is there as Sam’s fussy and tidying mother, over-emotionally worrying about her daughter. And the three boys.
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, brings it into the house, the boys trying to work out a name, Noah choosing Penguin. Clearly, the wounded Penguin becomes an evident symbol for Sam, their wounds, their confinement, and the question has to be, what is their fate.
It is Penguin who brings Sam out of herself, Noah asking his mother to take care of the bird while he is at school. Initially unwilling, and just calling her Bird, and Penguin causing mischief. Sam has to rescue Penguin from being trapped in spilt honey (the family have bees and produce honey). And so begins a bond, and the parallels between Sam and Penguin emerge.
Part of the joy of the film is Cam’s wonderful idea to suggest 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, Rachel House, a genial, wonderfully friendly, trainer for the kayaks, making demands on Sam, even testing her by telling her to fall into the water and use her arms for swimming. Of course, this will be Sam’s salvation, and more – as happened in real life.
But, what about Penguin? Recovering, the possibility of being able to fly, the need to break free, whether she would return to the house familiarity, finding her own independence and new life?
It is good to see photos of the actual family during the final credits, especially Sam herself and her achievement, and seeing that the family was very much involved in the production of the film. Director, Glendyn Ivin, has built up a strong reputation for directing television programs and series. And a great compliment to the magpie trainers and handlers (the cast list has the name of magpies!).
Australia/UK, 2020, 95 minutes, Colour.
Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, Griffin Murray- Johnston, Jackie Weaver, Rachel House, Leeanna Walsman, Lisa Hensley, Gia Carides, Abe Clifford- Barr.
Directed by Glendyn Ivin.
Reviewed by Fr. Peter Malone, MSC
Worth Pondering... 