Penguin Bloom

"We can relate to the question of, after an incident that happens out of nowhere, how do we manage from that point forward? ... It's about facing the unknown, about understanding and accepting that unknown, and moving on in a whole new way." - Naomi Watts

We cannot stress enough the importance of books, films and series as instruments of therapy. The emotional bond between some of them and the public shows us the importance of never giving up when faced with personal or professional difficulties that mark our existence. Based on the best-selling true story and with the homonymous title of Cameron Bloom and Bradley Trevor Greive, Penguin Bloom is Glendyn Ivin's second film after Last Ride (2009).

It is a drama about a mother who, after a fatal fall during a family vacation in Thailand, loses the use of her legs and is unable to resurface. A year after her accident she and her family take in an injured baby magpie whom they will take care of and accept as a family member. The emotional bond that will be created between Samantha Bloom and this magpie named Penguin.

The emotional strength of this drama about a mother who has to learn to live with a lifelong disability proves to be sincere as it is based on a simple script and leaves room for the emotional development of the main characters. The Bloom couple played on screen by Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually (2003), the series The Walking Dead) works wonderfully and creates a real strong bond with the audience. Far from trying to be maudlin at all costs, Penguin Bloom portrays a close-knit family who, after going through the dark hours, finds a way to get back on track thanks to the presence of an equally wounded magpie.

Penguin Bloom tells the true story of the revival that occurred when a woman whose life seemed forever shattered found hope and purpose in the love of her family - and in a bird (a magpie) on her own healing path. The film also shows the importance of sport here - kayaking as a therapy for moving forward and regaining self-confidence. We will appreciate this film all the more as no false note of rhythm is felt and above all the remarkable interpretation once again of Naomi Watts makes it a film to be discovered as soon as it will be broadcasted on January 27th on Netflix.

Penguin Bloom
Directed by Glendyn Ivin
Produced by Emma Cooper, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Naomi Watts
Written by Shaun Grant, Harry Cripps
Based on Penguin Bloom by Cameron Bloom, Bradley Trevor Greive
Starring Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, Jacki Weaver
Music by Marcelo Zarvos
Cinematography: Sam Chiplin
Edited by Maria Papoutsis
Production companies: Screen Australia, Endeavor Content, Create NSW, Made Up Stories, Jam Tart Films
Broadtalk
Distributed by Roadshow Films (Australia), Netflix (United States)
Release date: 12 September 2020 (TIFF), 21 January 2021 (Australia), 27 January 2021 (United States)
Running time: 95 minutes

Viewed on January 25, 2021 (Netflix press access)

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