This Mr Pete WowMe is a two-parter inspired by a movie featuring a penguin. It’s the journey of a “romantic warrior” who is also a determined educator. Penguins have sentimental value, as seen in this family picture (see above) from back in the day — at the Jersey Shore. As for romantic warriors, Mr Pete has been writing about that topic for years.
The film that got his attention has a natural breaking point— Lets call it an intermission. That’s where we’ll end his WowMe and pick it back up in Part 2.
Do you need to have read both WowMe posts before watching “The Penguin Lessons”?
Probably not. Suggest you schedule when you have distraction-free time (1 hour and 50 min). Or do what I do— split the movie into two sessions ; )
Read on! —the editor
“Rise Like Lions from Slumber”
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a wonderful film that challenged my mind while bringing joyful satisfaction to my dreary day. Released earlier this year and now available on Netflix, “The Penguin Lessons” is based on a true story that took place 50 years ago in Argentina where a coup [disturbance in the governing environment] is taking place.
[Log line: During the 1976 coup in Argentina, an English teacher rescues a penguin and brings it to his school. His life begins to change when the bird’s presence starts to have a positive effect on the school.]
Trailer for movie:
Tom Michell (played by Steve Coogan) seems to be a world-weary curmudgeon but deep inside this literature professor is a Romantic Warrior.
Professor Tom has accepted the challenge to awaken the bored and restless young minds — Minds that are often distracted by the sounds of revolution thundering outside their classroom window.
His mission, bold but not necessarily sacred, was to develop and mold these students toward a certain degree of scholarly excellence —A challenge considerably difficult if not impossible, especially during those troubled times.
At one point he caught his students role playing “Police vs Revolutionist” instead of paying attention to him.
How can he break through and get them to focus?
A scholarly approach — teach Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “The Masque of Anarchy”
Why not? after all it is a British political poem written in response to the Peterloo Massacre of 1819.
…It is a call for freedom, and a statement of the principle of nonviolent resistance…
Non-violent resistance being the main emphasis, or so Professor Tom thought. Worth a try, however his mission gets temporarily derailed, as a series of bombings in the city puts the school (teachers, students, etc.) in the line of fire, so to speak.
Class dismissed (postponed) as the school is forced to close for a week.
Leveraging an Unexpected Holiday…
Forced into an unexpected holiday, our Romantic Warrior, Professor Tom, decides to pay a visit to Uruguay in hopes of stirring the sleep from his soul and maybe finding a “lady” to kickstart his heart.
From the Book: The Penguin Lessons
Skillfully maneuvering the dance floor at a club, he captures the attention of a local named Carina. His adventure starts on the dance floor and continues with a walk on the beach.
As they are walking, they are doing a soft shuffle in the sand, while verbally seeking spiritual awareness of each other.
They are distracted by an oil slick with dozens of dead tar-covered penguins which they stumble upon.
Professor Tom’s lady friend, Carina expresses shock and sadness, while he matter-of-factly accepts that they are just witnessing the result of an oil spill (It is what it is).
The Discovery… It’s Alive!
Within the slick they find one penguin who still seems to be breathing. Carina demands that they save it. Professor Tom trying to prove to her that he is NOT shallow and heartless, sheepishly agrees.
Back at the hotel the rescued Penguin is cleaned in a tub while Carina and Tom share some verbal discourse.
Note (and Spoiler Alert!!): As romantic as this scene is, we soon find out that Carina is married and chooses not to have a one-night stand with Tom.
As she is leaving a disappointed Tom states, “What About the Penguin?”
What About the Penguin?
That’s a Wrap!
As promised, thus ends Part 1 of the two-part WowMe. Please check back in next week!
And to tie you over, here’s an 8-min clip showing the penguin rescue.
About Mr Pete
A music aficionado, Mr. Pete’s mind and ears have no horizons. He has the uncanny ability to suss out the right song for the right time — a skill that is truly amazing. The Gang here at Jedemi enjoys his contributions.
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