Film review: Paddington in Peru

Source: The review is from an adoptive parent and adopted young person (sent through FASD Hub South West)

“The third film did not disappoint. Focused more on the hidden meaning, Paddington explores his own heritage in the jungles of Peru, with the Browns.

“Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it but, with a lot of discussion in the adoption and fostering community about what forms part of an adopted child’s identity, I wanted to bring out the key messages Paddington says at the end of the film:

“This is my tribe, you are my family.”
“This is where I’m from but with you is where I belong.”
“I have mixed feelings about who I am but that is OK, I’m a little bit of everything.”

“I think it captures adoption wonderfully, offering a sensitive yet profound insight into the journey of identity for children placed in forever families. It reminds us of the importance for adoptive parents, foster carers, and local authorities to support children in understanding their origins in ways that are open, sensitive, and age-appropriate.”

“A child’s past, however complex, should not be hidden but rather embraced as part of their unique story. In blending the old with the new, professionals and family members alike can help children grow with a sense of pride in who they are, building a foundation that respects and values their identity.

“More adoptive parents should understand that embracing and talking about their child’s story strengthens their relationship. Hiding it risks it becoming fractured in later life, when identity becomes a key area of growth for children.

“Let’s keep children connected to their heritage and help them to be confident in themselves”

Spoiler alert, by adoptive parent:

“There’s a really lovely, but potentially triggering part at the end of the film in which Mrs Brown thinks she’s losing Paddington to his biological family, but Paddington reflects – ‘it’s good to know your tribe, but the most important thing is family’ (with the Browns).

“It’s opened lots of questions for adoptive families who have recommended the film – which have ultimately been really positive discussions, but it’s good to go in prepared and helped by the film to support the gentle conversations that might come from it.”

Top tip… wait until the end of the film run to get a quieter cinema or choose cinemas that have a neurodiverse session where they turn down lights and sound.

Enjoy!