We Bought a Zoo opens with the voice of Dylan Mee (Colin Ford) narrating glimpses of his journalist father Benjamin’s (Matt Damon) worldly adventures. Ben’s been embedded with violent dictators covered with killer bees and flown through the eye of a hurricane but as Dylan explicitly states “nothing prepared him for this one”—the “this one” being the titular purchasing of a zoo on the brink of closure. Director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire Almost Famous) has never been one for subtly but that’s never been the goal. We Bought a Zoo drops the cynicism wears its heart on its sleeve and doesn’t mind laying it on thick in an effort to move you which it does—whether you like it or not.
Six months after his wife’s death Ben still doesn’t have a grasp on how to be a good parent. He struggles to throw together bagged lunches for his daughter Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) watches Dylan downward spiral into school expulsion reluctantly accepts lasagnas from the sympathetic family friends and grieves over iPhoto montages of a life that once was. Every corner of his home conjures up familial memories prompting Ben to hightail it out of town. After a desperate house hunt Ben sets his sights on a stunning country home that comes with one twist: it’s the home to lions and tiger and bears (oh my!).
Along with its diverse collection of fauna Ben’s new zoo sports a colorful cast of staff members including Peter MacCready the temperamental Scottish maintenance man Robin the laid-back handyman with a monkey on his shoulder and Kelly the young committed animal handler (Scarlett Johansson). Ben inspires his team with motivational speeches (and signed checks) and together they work to rebuild and reopen the park.
We Bought a Zoo explores its themes of loss and renewal on the surface with cartoony characters hammy dialogue and a score by Jónsi of Sigur Rós that steers you towards an emotional destination. But it all works thanks in large part to Matt Damon’s charm and a general air of niceness to the whole package. Damon is one of the few stars capable of playing a Regular Joe. Watching him have his butt kicked by zoo chores is delightful while he adds true gravity to the dramatic moments. Whether he’s butting heads with his morose son in a screaming match or tearing up over his inescapable past Damon digs deeper than Crowe and Aline Brosh McKenna’s (The Devil Wears Prada 27 Dresses) screenplay. The rest of the cast manages to elevate the material too—Johansson keeps herself down to Earth; Thomas Haden Church as Ben’s skeptical brother Duncan knocks every joke out of the park; And the young Elle Fanning inspires once again as Kelly’s bubbly tween cousin who falls for the disgruntled Dylan (although no one seems to have a problem with a 12-year-old spending her days working/living at a zoo; her parents are completely out of the picture).
The movie doesn’t take unexpected turns or make profound statements but it succeeds in its goal of tugging the audience’s heartstrings. The world of We Bought a Zoo is one where everything works out if you persevere have hope and open yourself up to love. That’s not reality but rather inspirational thinking. Perfect for the holiday season.
