After only a few minutes of consideration I declared that, had I have seen this movie only a week before, it would have been the best film I’d seen in 2011. Massive call, and said in the heat of the moment (everyone loves that feeling of romantic bedazzlement after watching something that truly speaks to you). I’m still not too sure whether I would have given it the number one spot but I have no doubt it would give my list a good shake up. Regardless of whether it would have taken home the chocolates or not, the fact that I am in deliberation about such a matter is enough cause to realise that We Bought a Zoo was a real winner.
Based on a true story, Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon), who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife and his new life as a single father, decides to buy a small Zoo in search for change and the opportunity to provide his children with a unique life experience. With absolutely no experience or formal training in the area, Benjamin has to rely on the knowledge of the current team of professionals led by Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson). Everything will go to waste if they can’t get the Zoo up to an acceptable standard before their formal inspection. Temperamental animals, astronomical fee’s, trying to take charge in a situation so foreign to him combined with a teenage son who doesn’t want to be a part of it all makes for a trying period for Benjamin as he attempts to juggle a cocktail of emotions.
What works so well with We Bought a Zoo is it’s incredible ability to tie in such a profound array of themes and issues and make them so clearly relatable to an audience member. I’m not suggesting that the concerns involved are actually things people deal with on a day-to-day basis (a lot of them would hardly be scraped over in a lifetime) but director Cameron Crowe has this wonderful knack of appealing emotionally to his audience. Sure, he is blessed with a truly impressive narrative and aided by the brilliant Matt Damon in the lead role but he is most definitely the glue that sticks all these delectable pieces together. With all this and more working mutually in perfect harmony would are left with a sensational recipe for cinematic goodness!
The jury was definitely out on this one for me initially. I mean, the title itself is so unappealing that it would be easy to gloss over when you’re in line to buy your tickets. Still, your teachers at Primary School told you to never judge a book by its cover and for good reason. I guess I’m trying to say that there is a lot more to We Bought a Zoo than meets the eye. On the outside it can appear to be a family fluff piece with a big name Hollywood star and a journey against the odds whereas in reality, and in the films essence, it is so much more.
The emotional poignancy that is often present throughout the narrative struck a real chord with me and I found myself incredibly involved in proceedings from very early on. When a movie can draw you in like that to the extent where you just let yourself go you know you’re onto something pretty special. Whilst I rode along with the characters across every bump of the journey I could still feel myself transformed into a state of enjoyment and sheer entertainment. It was an absolute pleasure to watch and one of the few movies I intend watch again and again.
4.5 stars
Matt Jeffries - I tell it as I see it. I'm young, Gen Y and happy to provide a perspective that is so often overlooked in the media nowadays.
