The Move of the Penguin

Bruno and Salvatore are mismatched temp workers who stumble into the little-known sport of curling. Along with Neno, a retired man with more heart than skill, and Ottavio, an old-school tough guy, they decide their offbeat pastime could turn into something bigger. Fueled by optimism and the lure of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, the quartet trains, learns rules, and assembles a team despite ridicule and practical obstacles. Their preparation mixes slapstick practice sessions with quiet bonding at neighborhood bars, and the film balances everyday frustrations with warm comedy as they aim for a national stage. They deal with tight budgets, skeptical neighbors and the odd mechanics of the sport, so victories are personal rather than athletic.

Directed by Claudio Amendola, The Move of the Penguin is an Italian-language comedy that premiered in Italy in 2014. The screenplay is by Andrea Natella, Michele Alberico and Giulio Di Martino, and the cast includes Edoardo Leo and Ricky Memphis.

Critical response was mixed, reflected in an average score of 5.6 out of 10. Reviewers praised the performances while critiquing uneven pacing and a script leaning on gags. The movie emphasizes friendship, aging characters testing new goals, and small-town pride more than high-stakes sports competition, and many viewers liked it.

Set against the backdrop of Italy's Turin Olympics, the film plays on national memory of 2006 and nudged a niche spotlight onto curling, a sport unfamiliar to many Italian viewers. With recognizable comic actors and scenes of clumsy training, it became a modest conversation starter about unconventional pastimes and local pride.

It had a modest theatrical run in Italy with limited international distribution, so its commercial profile stayed mostly local and tied to the cast's recognition and the Olympic connection. It later reached wider audiences on streaming platforms and TV globally.