Paddington (Film)

***Paddington*** is a 2014 live-action animated comedy film written and directed by Paul King. It was based on the stories of the character Paddington Bear created by Michael Bond. Produced by David Heyman, *Paddington* stars Ben Whishaw as the voice of the title character, with Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, and Nicole Kidman in live-action roles. The film tells the story of Paddington, a bear who migrates from the jungles of "Darkest Peru" to the streets of London, where he is adopted by the Brown family. Kidman plays a taxidermist who attempts to add him to her collection.

A British and French film produced by StudioCanal UK, TVF 1, and Heyday, *Paddington*'s photography began in September 2013 and wrapped up in June 2014. Colin Firth was originally set to voice Paddington, but dropped out in post-production and was replaced by Whishaw.

*Paddington* was released in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2014 to critical acclaim for Whishaw's vocal performance, humour, screenplay, visual effects and appeal to children and adults. It grossed $268 million worldwide on a €38.5 (~$55) million budget. It received two nominations at the BAFTAs: Best British Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. A sequel, *Paddington 2*, was released in 2017, with King and much of the cast returning.

Plot

In the deep jungles of "Darkest Peru", a British geographer discovers a unknown species of bear. He learns that the bears are highly intelligent and that they have a deep fondness for marmalade. He names them Lucy and Pastuzo and gives them his hat as he leaves, telling the bears that they are always welcome if they wish to go to London.

Forty years later, the two bears are living in harmony with their orphaned nephew until an earthquake destroys their home, forcing them to seek shelter underground. Pastuzo fails to reach the shelter in time and is killed by a falling tree. Lucy encourages her nephew to go and find solace in London, while she moves into the Home for Retired Bears.

The young bear arrives in London on a cargo ship and reaches Paddington Station. He meets the Brown family, who take him home and name him after the station they found him in. Henry Brown, the father and a devoted risk analyst, does not believe Paddington's story and is adamant that Paddington stay only one night, but his wife Mary and their two children, Jonathan and Judy, find him endearing, as does Mrs. Bird, the housekeeper.

Paddington thinks he can find a home with the explorer who met Lucy and Pastuzo, but does not know his name. After finding no mention of his expedition on the Internet, Mary takes Paddington to Samuel Gruber, a shop owner who discovers that the hat bears the stamp of the Geographers' Guild, but the Guild has no record of an expedition to Peru. With the help of Henry, Paddington infiltrates the Guild's archive and discovers an expedition to Peru was undertaken by the explorer, whose name is Montgomery Clyde (although the Guild erased their record of the expedition).

Meanwhile, the hateful museum taxidermist Millicent Clyde kills and stuffs animals to house them in the Natural History Museum. When she learns of Paddington's existence, she immediately sets out to hunt him down. The Brown family departs for the day, leaving Paddington home alone. Scheming with the Browns' nosy but unsuspecting next-door neighbour, Mr. Curry, Millicent sneaks in and attempts to capture Paddington; he manages to defend himself, but inadvertently starts a fire in the process. Paddington tries to tell the Browns his story of Millicent's kidnap attempt, but no one believes him.

That night, Paddington leaves the house and attempts to track down Montgomery Clyde himself, using the phone book to find the addresses of every "M. Clyde" in London. He eventually finds Millicent's house, and learns that Montgomery Clyde, who was Millicent's father, died a long time ago. Millicent resents her father for losing his Guild membership after he refused to bring a Peruvian bear home and subsequently opened a petting zoo. She tranquilizes Paddington and prepares to stuff him, but when Mr. Curry discovers her true intentions, he warns the Brown family and they come to save Paddington. They rescue him, and when Millicent is about to shoot Paddington on the roof, Mrs. Bird opens a hatch, pushing her off.

In the aftermath, the Browns allow Paddington to stay in their house permanently. Millicent is arrested and sentenced to community service in her father's petting zoo. Paddington writes to Aunt Lucy, saying he is happy and has finally found a home.