DNF

One of the most trite films ever. It's not the kind of movie I enjoy trashing, because it's based on a true story, but I can't get past how predictable, sappy, corny, and amateur _Penguin Bloom_ is. Seriously, it is just a story of a woman being sad she can't walk anymore, and then there's a bird. Yes, the event was tragic, but it just isn't profound or exceptional enough to be a 95 mins film.

For a film that wants to be taken very seriously, I just couldn't. It's so self-serious and self-important about everything, but I felt disconnected from it, and it didn't work for me on any emotional level. The story is so very familiar, it reminds me of every single other _"overcoming a tragic accident"_ movie. Taking on a standard structure from the very beginning, and doesn’t do much to make it interesting. I think the filmmaking, script, acting, characters - literally anything about this is just fine and tolerable, nothing that pops.
The characters lack any depth, the movie should’ve spent more time getting to know them. The focus is too much time on the mom, she is the main character yet outside of Sam's pain, you don't get to know who she is, thus making it hard to feel for her.

_Penguin Bloom_ was so desperately trying to be a tearjerker, with inspirational music every 12 seconds, but it felt shallow and boring.

By the way, I'm very surprised the Twitter mob is not angry Naomi Watts is playing a disabled character. Like, I simply can't understand their rules. So selective.

A lovely family movie with a straightforward, inspiring, uplifting story. Based on the true story of Sam Bloom who was paralysed from the chest down following a fall from the roof of a building when holidaying in Italy with her family.
Naomi Watts, who plays Sam, brings her experience as an actor to the story along with, of course, the trainer of the magpies who starred in the movie (ten of them!). Watts does a great job of portraying the physical and emotional impact of paralysis and there are some heart-rending scenes where she struggles with her new life along with her husband and children. The kids in the movie do a great job of playing authentic children, especially the one who introduces Penguin to the family.
The film is beautifully photographed and the magpies, who play Penguin, are brilliant. They steal the show every time they are on screen.
My one criticism of PENGUIN BLOOM is that it doesn’t tell us enough about the past and present of Sam Bloom, leaving that to a few facts at the end of the movie.
While this is, in my view, a family film, it does have a few themes that might be difficult for young children, so parents may want to see it first before watching it with their younger kids.
PENGUIN BLOOM, based on the book of the same name, is an old-fashioned movie and avoids sentimentalism and sappiness. Delightful.

'Penguin Bloom' is a good tear-jerker based on a true story; it's another film along with 'The Dry' that proves Australia is capable of making strong movies showcasing great talent in front of and behind the camera. Grab some tissues and someone you can hug, and go see 'Penguin Bloom' in cinemas!
- Chris dos Santos

Read Chris' full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-penguin-bloom-an-inspiring-true-aussie-film