Batman first appeared on the big screen 81 years ago. Since then the reboots and spinoffs have run rampant with over 10 different acting portrayals of Batman and villain spinoffs like the Joker movies. The Batman storyline has been especially outplayed in the past decade, which makes “The Penguin” so much more intriguing.
The focus on a villain’s backstory gives it a fresh, new take on the DC Comics universe. The Penguin, also known as Ozwald, is particularly fascinating because there’s so much of his personality to unpack. His childhood trauma acts as a catalyst for his need to be loved by his community. Having a clubfoot made it difficult for him to be taken seriously, giving him the nickname ‘Penguin’ for the way he appeared to waddle when he walked. Despite the prejudices he faced, Oswald’s dream was always to be the small-town hero, which he craves above all else. These relatable qualities of wanting to be loved make it easy for audiences to identify with him and root for him as the underdog.
In the production of the show, I appreciate how the directors portray disabilities. Media, in particular, doesn’t tend to cast people with disabilities in roles of power, but this show does a good job at breaking stereotypes. The producers normalize Ozwald’s disability so much so that he uses it as an asset. Throughout the show, people underestimate him because of where he came from and what he looks like. Instead of letting their preconceived notions limit his success, he lets them think that he’s harmless when he’s really playing them all.
Also highlighting Ozwald’s intellectual sharpness and critical thinking skills makes for thrilling plot and character development. Watching Ozwald hatch his plans and calculate his next steps makes it hard not to be enthralled and feel invested. Even I caught myself holding my breath when Ozwald gets caught in sticky situations and it looks like he’s going to lose it all. Based on what episodes have aired, Oswald has been able to talk his way out of his predicaments, but only time will tell how long his charm will last.
The constant change of scenery as Ozwald continues to double cross each mafia family spotlights the cinematography. Both the filming and the set design leave nothing to the imagination. From the intricate crown molding in the houses to the bustling lights of Gotham city, the filming locations only come second to the actor portrayal of the Penguin himself. Colin Farell is absolutely unrecognizable in this role. Both in terms of his physical appearance with the use of prosthetics, and his performance, Farrell is able to embody the mannerisms of the character seamlessly, even after hours in the makeup chair.
Still, this wouldn’t be an honest review without conceding how cliche the Italian mafia trope is in the show. However, the not-so-subtle similarities between the characters and those of “The Godfather” and “The Sopranos” is appealing to the target audience. Overall, this show is worth watching, especially if you’re a fan of crime movies or the DC Comics universe. The first episode came out Sept. 19 on HBO Max and since it’s a mini-series, it will continue to be released once a week until Nov. 10 for a total of eight episodes.
