Weekly Penguin

Weekly Penguin 243

Last year Hollywood brought us two big penguin movies, the first of them being Mr. Popper's Penguins, an adaptation of 1930s children's book written by Richard and Florence Atwater and illustrated by Robert Lawson. The film version stars the flamboyant actor Jim Carrey and is directed by Mark Waters.

Bottom line; life of an ordinary man Mr. Popper – played by the definitely-not-ordinary Jim Carrey – is changed when he receives a box of penguins. Gradually the penguins take over his life and his professional side starts to unravel. Family movie hijinks ensue. So, not to spoil anything, I'd say while it isn't anything groundbreaking or particularly unique, it's definitely worth watching. It's not every day you can watch Jim Carrey hamming things up with a bunch of penguins.

I have to admit here that I haven't read the book, so I can't really comment on the changes to the story. I've come to understand there are plenty of deviations, including Mr. Popper's character being changed from a poor house-painter to a semi-wealthy business man, and judging by some of the reviews not everyone seemed to like this tinkering. The movie works, though, so whatever they changed didn't ruin the whole.

Also; "Pull yourself together – your house is full of penguins!" would make an apt title for my autobiography if I ever were to write one.

Added: 2012-04-03