We Bought a Zoo (2011) Directed by Cameron Crowe. With Matt Damon, Scarlett Johannsoon and Thomas Haden Church.
Inspired by Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon), who once bought a zoo in Devon, England, We Bought a Zoo is one of those Hollywood movies that is very loosely based on stuff that actually happened, mixing up the real facts to make something that has more than a whiff of fairytale fantasy to it.
Quentin Tarantino has been accused of it, but it really is starting to feel like Cameron Crowe constructs his films around an array of soundtrack choices. As is typically the case, Crowe has the luxury of a fine cast to spout reams of ‘life dialogue’. Lines like – “You do somethin’ for the right reasons, nothing can stop you“, which come thicker and faster than you’d expect from a quick browse of your average greeting card stall.
In his central role, Matt Damon is served-up as a salt-of-the-earth type – a single father mourning the loss of his recently deceased wife. He has two kids, one impossibly adorable little girl and a typically angst-ridden, floppy-mopped teen lad. Although the film is increasingly trite as it unravels, Damon is a real credit to the piece, selling his role to the point that, despite a sickly-sweet taste, we are rooting for him. In typical Hollywood-style, Damon doesn’t just get a run-down zoo with a few ailing animals for his money…he inherits a Scarlett Johansson too – Yes (I sat there thinking) he’ll forget about his dead wife in no time.
Away from the goody-two-shoes tone, there is some slight relief in the form of Thomas Haden Church, channelling a family-friendly version of his lothario character from Sideways, but there isn’t nearly enough of him.
The film would be more effective, if it didn’t insist on dictating our emotions to us. All the peaks and troughs are expected to the point of minor irritation. One of the true annoyances of We Bought a Zoo, is that it attempts to create a picture-perfect view of human beings (on two occasions it weirdly points out how humans are preferable to animals), while overdosing us on whimsy and attempting to moralise us into submission. If, unlike cynical old me, you’re bulletproof to all that, it ought to make you feel good. 3/5
Gareth Rhodes Film Reviews 
I remember seeing this on a very lazy Sunday afternoon. And yeah – it wasn’t that memorable and pushed the whimsy too far. But it was mildly entertaining and a sweet little story.
Didn’t know about this film. Glad to read the review which is pretty neatly done. And based on that, I think I’ll give it a pass. Lol!
I think it’s OK, if you need something very light and cheery, although even then, the excessive sentiment might be grating on the eyes and ears.
Not my cup of tea then! 😀
I found myself teary-eyed at the end and hating myself for it. Damn you, Hollywood!
I know how you feel – there’s certain films where I find myself fighting back the emotion, ’cause I know how hard the film is working to jerk my tears.
I remember this one..I thought I would hate it..and actually ended up really liking it. Feelgood sappy movie – sure it was.. but in that kinda nice all-in-one way.. 🙂
I can see the appeal of it, and I caught myself liking a lot of it, but it’s like the morning after a heavy sugar binge…you just feel guilty. Plus, I’m a savoury-over-sweet kind of chap.
I’m a sour person!! hahahaha and usually just hate sappy movies..that’s why I think I was pleasantly surprised by this! 😀
Haha! That made me laugh, Peggy. It’s good to mix sweet n’ sour. No matter how sentimental it got, I liked the performances. ScarJo and Damon are potent forces.
😀