We Bought a Zoo

Films that are based on a true story, person or situation are usually done with a certain amount of carefulness so as to be 'true' with the information that is being conveyed to its audience. Just our recent past screams this: "Moneyball", "J.Edgar", "My Week With Marilyn", "The Help". In the case of "We Bought a Zoo", this being 'true' stills carries out the message of carefulness.

Set in Southern California, a recent widower, Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) moves his kids, Dylan and Rosie (Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones) to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo with the help of the ancillary staff, Kelly (Scarlett Johansson)-- head zookeeper, Peter MacCready (Angus MacFadyen), Robin Jones (Patrick Fugit) and Rhonda (Carla Gallo).

Part of the reason why Benjamin decided to move out to the country with this zoo was to help his son, Dylan, who has had a difficult time adjusting to the demise of his mom. Even after Benjamin moves to the country, he starts to realize himself that it's not about proximity to get through a loved ones' death, but how he needs to cope with it. And besides, Rosie just loved the house after she realized a zoo was attached with the deal. His brother, Duncan (Thomas Haden Church) tried to talk Benjamin out of the zoo, but the more he tried, the more he realized he was really on the same page as Benjamin. John Michael Higgins gives a hoot of a performance as the inspector involved in scutinizing the care of the zoo.

This was cleverly directed by Cameron Crowe ("Say Anything..." '89, "Singles" '92, "Jerry Maguire" '96, "Almost Famous" 2000, "Vanilla Sky" '01, "Elizabethtown" '05, "The Union" (Documentary) '11) in that he's learned a thing or two about being able to write and direct films about relationships, that in other scripts can be mediocre, that are quirky and fresh. This is an untapped quality that I wish the rom-com writers could hard wire into. This was heartwarmingly written by Aline Brosh McKenna and Crowe based on Benjamin Mee's book.

This film has all the elements that many of us have either gone or are going through in that it contains hurt, self-loathing, discovery and re-discovery, redemption, fear and reconciliation all in an entertaining approach, in which we can all choose to experience or not.

Out of 4 stars: 3.5                    Rated: PG-13                     124min.