The new film “Penguin Bloom” is based on a true story and is definitely a film which will leave you with a warm feeling, but not until you have endured much suffering with the family in the story. The film is based on a true story from the novel of the same name, and follows the Australian Bloom family as they experience a terrible accident involving mom Sam (Naomi Watts) during a vacation trip to Thailand. The accident leaves Sam with partial paralysis, and when the family returns to Australia, she must deal with her new life in a wheelchair, after years of being an avid surfer. She is supported by her husband Cameron (Andrew Lincoln) and their three sons Noah (Griffin Murray-Johnston), Ruben (Felix Cameron) and Oil (Abe Clifford-Barr), but still struggles with her new existence. Little does Sam realize something is about to enter her life that will help lift her spirits and change her life. One day when Cameron and the kids are at the beach they discover an injured magpie chick (a medium-sized black and white bird native to Australia and New Guinea) and bring the bird home to heal. The kids name the bird Penguin due to its appearance, and despite the new resident in their home, Sam has no desire to interact with the bird, despite Noah’s love for Penguin. Eventually Penguin almost forces Sam to pay attention to her and Sam actually begins petting, caring and bonding with the bird. The bird will even lay on Sam’s shoulder while she is in bed. While Sam has been bonding with Penguin, her relationship with Cameron is strained, and she has become distant from son Noah, who blames himself for his Mom’s accident. Eventually Penguin learns to fly and this results in Sam having a new sense of determination to help herself. Cameron convinces Sam to take kayaking lessons, and after a bit of hesitation, she finally is in the water and experiences newfound joy. The joy eventually leads to a bit of sadness involving Penguin, who experiences her own near tragedy, but still manages to have a lasting impact on the Bloom family who consider the bird a member of their family. The Bloom family finally face their conflicts and deal with their pain caused by Sam’s accident, and are once again a united and happy family. I loved how an animal helped bring healing to a person struggling with recovery from an accident and the resulting depression. You never know what form an angel will take to help you in a time of need. The actors are all wonderful in this film, and Watts is marvelous as a woman struggling to find a way to happiness again. Lincoln, of “The Walking Dead” fame, has wonderful chemistry with Watts, and is very effective as a father and husband trying to keep his family together. The child actors are perfect in their parts and only add to the realistic tone of the film. As for the magpie, the bird steals the movie. “Penguin Bloom” is a wonderful film of overcoming obstacles in your life, and finding joy presented to you by one of nature’s creatures. Now playing on Netflix. (Rated TV-14)The new film “Penguin Bloom” is based on a true story and is definitely a film which will leave you with a warm feeling, but not until you have endured much suffering with the family in the story. The film is based on a true story from the novel of the same name, and follows the Australian Bloom family as they experience a terrible accident involving mom Sam (Naomi Watts) during a vacation trip to Thailand. The accident leaves Sam with partial paralysis, and when the family returns to Australia, she must deal with her new life in a wheelchair, after years of being an avid surfer. She is supported by her husband Cameron (Andrew Lincoln) and their three sons Noah (Griffin Murray-Johnston), Ruben (Felix Cameron) and Oil (Abe Clifford-Barr), but still struggles with her new existence. Little does Sam realize something is about to enter her life that will help lift her spirits and change her life. One day when Cameron and the kids are at the beach they discover an injured magpie chick (a medium-sized black and white bird native to Australia and New Guinea) and bring the bird home to heal. The kids name the bird Penguin due to its appearance, and despite the new resident in their home, Sam has no desire to interact with the bird, despite Noah’s love for Penguin. Eventually Penguin almost forces Sam to pay attention to her and Sam actually begins petting, caring and bonding with the bird. The bird will even lay on Sam’s shoulder while she is in bed. While Sam has been bonding with Penguin, her relationship with Cameron is strained, and she has become distant from son Noah, who blames himself for his Mom’s accident. Eventually Penguin learns to fly and this results in Sam having a new sense of determination to help herself. Cameron convinces Sam to take kayaking lessons, and after a bit of hesitation, she finally is in the water and experiences newfound joy. The joy eventually leads to a bit of sadness involving Penguin, who experiences her own near tragedy, but still manages to have a lasting impact on the Bloom family who consider the bird a member of their family. The Bloom family finally face their conflicts and deal with their pain caused by Sam’s accident, and are once again a united and happy family. I loved how an animal helped bring healing to a person struggling with recovery from an accident and the resulting depression. You never know what form an angel will take to help you in a time of need. The actors are all wonderful in this film, and Watts is marvelous as a woman struggling to find a way to happiness again. Lincoln, of “The Walking Dead” fame, has wonderful chemistry with Watts, and is very effective as a father and husband trying to keep his family together. The child actors are perfect in their parts and only add to the realistic tone of the film. As for the magpie, the bird steals the movie. “Penguin Bloom” is a wonderful film of overcoming obstacles in your life, and finding joy presented to you by one of nature’s creatures. Now playing on Netflix. (Rated TV-14)
