By Andrea Fernandes
Features Editor
The friendly bear, Paddington, recently made his way from Peru to theaters.
“Paddington” is based on the children’s book, “Paddington Bear,” by Michael Bond. The bear in the movie lives in Peru with his aunt and uncle. After a deadly earthquake in the forest, Paddington’s aunt, Lucy, sends him to London so that he can find a new and better home.
After sneaking onto a ship for several weeks and devouring all the marmalade his aunt packed for him, he arrives in London. He finds himself sitting in a train station hoping that someone will welcome him into his or her home or at least help him find a new one.
A man passes with his wife and children, but the man insists that no one make eye contact with the strange bear. His wife, Mrs. Mary Brown, played by Sally Hawkins, curiously approaches Paddington and notices he’s wearing a name tag that reads “Please look after this bear.” She insists that Paddington stay with them until he can find a home. Her husband reluctantly agrees, and the adventure for both the family and Paddington begins.
The family’s attic becomes Paddington’s temporary home. The man, Mr. Henry Brown, played by Hugh Bonneville, does not want Paddington to stay in the house and warns his family to stay far away from the attic because the bear may be dangerous.
On his first night in the house, Paddington floods the bathroom and the house while figuring out how to clean himself.
The movie includes some funny scenes that are sure to make the young ones laugh. Being from the jungles of Peru, Paddington is not familiar with basic household items. While trying to clean himself in the bathroom, he sticks two toothbrushes in his ear, pulls them out after they’re covered in earwax, then licks them. After staying with the family for a while, Paddington learns the proper way of using household items.
Henry Brown is not impressed with everything that has been taking place in his house upon Paddington’s arrival, so he expresses his anger and his desire to kick Paddington out. After overhearing the conversation, Paddington, now sad and depressed, decides to leave the house, leaving behind a note.
Paddington decides to search for an address his aunt had given him back in Peru. An explorer who visited Peru left his address with the bears, believing they’re the smartest group of bears he ever met. When Paddington finally finds the house, he discovers that the explorer no longer lives there but his daughter does. His daughter was in search of Paddington, hoping to kill and stuff him so he could be placed in a museum, where she thought he belonged.
After Paddington has been gone from the Brown’s house for some time, the family, mainly Henry, realizes they need him in their lives. During the time he stayed with them, the children were happy and the Peruvian bear had taught them all so much. Henry decides that the attic shouldn’t be Paddington’s temporary home; it should be his only home.
The family sets out to find Paddington and faces numerous challenges before they are finally able to save his life. The movie does a great job of teaching viewers that welcoming someone into a home is a true act of kindness.
Seeing “Paddington” in theaters is worth the trip. Paddington’s effortless charm is sure to warm the hearts of all viewers.
fernanal13@bonaventure.edu
