My aunt Barb and I share a love of zoos, so I wasn’t surprised that she decided to rent We Bought a Zoo
when I visited her and my uncle recently. As soon as the titular zoo
came into view, both of us started fantasizing about how cool it would
be to live in such a place. The landscape and the ragtag collection of
animals combine to make a very appealing playground for Rosie (Maggie
Elizabeth Jones), the adorable little girl whose father is the film’s
main character.
Matt Damon is the most likable I’ve ever seen
him as Benjamin Mee, a plucky widower who wants to make a better life
for Rosie and her surly pre-adolescent brother Dylan (Colin Ford). While
sunny Rosie seems to be adjusting fairly well to her mother’s death,
it’s transformed Dylan into a borderline delinquent. While Benjamin
processes his own grief, he longs for a way to restore the lost
connection between him and his son.
Buying the zoo seems like a
crazy idea, but Benjamin and Rosie both fall head over heels in love
with the place at first glance. Dylan objects to being uprooted, while
Benjamin’s pragmatic brother Duncan (Thomas Haden Church), an
accountant, foresees financial disaster if he goes through with it. But
Benjamin has fixed on a dream, and even though the zoo is in shambles
and will require thousands of dollars and hours of manpower to get it up
to code for inspection and a summer opening, he is determined to make a
go of it. Is it a sustainable goal, or is he about to fall flat on his
face?
Cameron Crowe directed and co-wrote this earnest charmer
of a family film, which was based on a true story, though the family
was transplanted from England to Southern California and the wife’s
death, which served as the impetus for all the events in the film, did
not occur in real life until after the zoo had been purchased. Here,
buying the zoo is very much about this dad and his children making a new
beginning and slowly learning to let go, never forgetting the warm,
loving wife and mother whose early death stuck such a painful blow but
allowing themselves to move forward with optimism.
Rated PG,
the movie contains little material that could be considered
objectionable. Death is certainly a prominent theme, but it’s dealt with
gently, and I imagine that children going through a grieving process
might find a lot to relate to here. Damon anchors the film with a sense
of determination and good humor, while Jones steals every scene with her
sage and funny proclamations and Ford’s angst keeps the family’s recent
tragedy fresh in viewers’ minds. Church is a consistent source of humor
with his sad-sack demeanor and snarky remarks. The bond between these
very different brothers is one of my favorite aspects of the movie.
Of course, romance comes into the storyline a bit, though it’s really
not the focus. As the film begins, Benjamin is still seeing his wife
(Stephanie Szostak) everywhere he goes, and the last thing on his mind
is starting a new relationship. However, he is thrown into constant
contact with Kelly (Scarlet Johansson), his property’s no-nonsense head
zookeeper, and a mutual affection gradually forms. Meanwhile, Dylan,
still disgusted by the family’s move, attempts to deal with the
confusion of a first romance with Kelly’s tomboyish niece Lily (Elle
Fanning). I think I actually enjoyed this pairing more, partly because
of the opportunity it presented for Benjamin to offer some wise advice
as the rift between father and son starts to heal.
We Bought a Zoo
is a sunny, funny, touching movie about family, grief and impossible
dreams. Beautiful animals, a quirky zoo staff and a dad deeply devoted
to his children and his new venture make this a truly endearing film. I
watched it with my aunt, uncle and grandparents, and we all gave it the
thumbs up. At just over two hours, it might be a little on the long side
for young children, but it truly is a film that the whole family can
enjoy together.
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