Handlung

A disillusioned Englishman who goes to work in a school in a divided Argentina in 1976 finds his life transformed when he rescues an orphaned penguin from the beach.

In the year of 1976, a disillusioned educator named Tom Michell arrives at an all boys school in Argentina called St.George's College to teach both Rugby and English. Tom becomes friends with his housekeeper Maria, her granddaughter Sofia, a political activist and St.George's science tutor Tapio. Unfortunately, Tom struggles to keep his class under control and well-behaved.

One day, the city suffers a bombing, causing the students to go home for a week. Tom and Tapio take a trip to Uruguay, where Tom meets a woman called Carina. Together, they come across an oil slick, which has killed a multitude of penguins, leaving only one survivor. They bring the soul remaining penguin back to Toms hotel room and give it a bath. Afterwards, the pair share a special moment, but Carina admits she is married.

Tom tries to get rid of the penguin, but it keeps returning to him. Tom begrudgingly decides to sneak the penguin back to St.George's and calls up a zoo, but soon learns about the zoo's horrific conditions, leading Tom to adopt the penguin and affectionately name it Juan Salvador. Both Maria and Sofia begin to love the penguin, so Tom decides to take it to class, ultimately causing the class to pay attention. Tom grows ever closer to his students, encouraging them to feed Juan, whilst keeping it a secret from Buckle. Tapio also comes to meet the penguin and has a personal conversation with Juan.

In the city, Sofia is kidnapped by Argentine authorities for her activities in activism. Tom oversees this and goes to visit a grieving Maria and she vows to protest against the Argentines, for her daughter's release. Tom is moved by Maria's strong bond with her family, Tom admits that he lost his teenage daughter in a car incident, causing a rift in his marriage. Tom then admits that he witnessed Sofias kidnapping but did nothing.

Unfortunately, Buckle soon learns about Juan and puts in stricter policies and fires Tom from his job. Tom goes to confront the militant who ordered for Sofias kidnapping and strongly urges for her release. Toms pleas are answered with him getting beaten up and arrested. Later, Tapio arrives and bails Tom out. Meanwhile, back at St.George's, Buckle begins to regret sacking Tom and openly admits that Juans presence had a positive impact on both students and staff. Buckle talks to Juan personally and grants it permission to swim in the school's swimming pool.

Sadly, soon after, Juan suddenly passes away and a heartbroken Tom Michell gives Juan a burial under a tree, near the rugby pitch at the school's campus. As Tom presents his eulogy, a battered and bruised Sofia reconciles with Maria, as Tom overlooks.