Film No. 7 (2021) January 27th. 10:20 AM ACE CINEMAS No. 3, Rockingham.
"The weight of the world is on my shoulders, but I know somehow at the end of the day it will ground me, the earth is under my feet" (The opening lyrics to Penguin Bloom's trailer theme).
Let's face it, there isn't much to Penguin Bloom. With so much in-house collaboration of finance and narrative content (Cam Bloom), there was always the risk that this type of project could end as innocuous drivel. Well, it isn't. It is heart-felt, intelligent family fare, which so happens to be based on an actual Australian family, the Blooms.
Intelligent family dramas are rare "birds" (no pun intended - magpies included). Dramas that subtly explore emotions with thoughtful compassion of the likes of What We Did on Our Holiday (2014) are considered risky, and mostly to be avoided by production houses. Penguin Bloom will certainly earn its keep.
So why does the story of how loving mother, Sam Bloom (Naoimi Watts), rendered a paraplegic due to a holiday accident, then being inspired by her family and a magpie to reach international levels of achievement work? The William Goldman theory I suppose. It just all clicks together, including the visual splendor of the Northern Beaches region of Sydney.
English actor Andrew Lincoln plays Cam Bloom, Sam's devoted husband brilliantly. The Bloom family is rounded out with smart, unpretentious performances from Griffin Murray-Johnston (narrator; Noah), Felix Cameron (Rueben) and Abe Clifford-Barr (Oli). Jacki Weaver as Sam's widowed mother Jan, sparkled and Rachel House played kayaking mentor Gaye as only Rachel House could. Now throw in a few magpies (Penguin is portrayed by multiple birds) who put the "ute" in cute and the chemistry explodes!
Director Glendyn Ivin (Last Ride 2009)needs mentioning. Bloom is his second feature in 12 years and both display his ability to bring heart to family stories. I hope a new project is presented to him before another decade passes. 9GUMS.
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