A tear came to my eye the first time I saw this film, I was choked up. Not streams of tears – but that kind of tear jerking emotional effect from a film or from anything is rare for me.
The relationship between the young single dad and his son is familiar only because I am a son. I think anyone who is or was a son or a father can relate to these emtional scenes.
We Bought A Zoo is in a way, an instructional manual on how to grow up.
Benjamin (Matt Damon) is more grown up than we’ve seen him before and he still manages to show the struggle.
He has a close connection with his kids but they need a change. There is subtle humour – verging on quirkiness, but it’s mostly just charming. Because the film is about the way it touches your heart.
When the daughter, Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) can’t sleep because of loud neighbours in close proximity to her bedroom, our inciting incident is that Benjamin is inspired to make a significant life change. A new house, a new life.
This film is an emotional adventure about the reality of adventure – it’s difficult, it hurts, it will change you and it’s meaningful. There will be challenges and there will be moments of regret, but fight through it and it might just be worth it.
The new place, it’s a zoo. And when Benjamin finds out that it’s literally a zoo, he doesn’t instantly jump at the opportunity, until he sees the light in his daughter’s face.
The boy, Dylan (Colin Ford) is not impressed with his father’s decision to uproot and move away from his friends. He thinks the zoo idea is ridiculous and he’s probably right.
The cast of characters are ecclectic. The pirate type, Peter (Angus Macfadyen) ‘visionary Zoo architect’ was Robert the Bruce in Braveheart. So I’m a fan of this guy. The character doesn’t get much play unfortunately, or much development.
Probably because they wanted to sell Scarlett Johannsen and Matt Damon as a leading force. Even Scarlette is likeable. She plays her role and commits to it. She is charming, tough, staunch but still pretty, and a real fresh and unique character.
As far as native Zoo characters the key role is young Lilly (Elle Fanning) who plays awkwardly attempted love interest to Dylan, who seems to take advantage of her kindness.
He expects her to keep coming back regardless of his appreciation of her. His excuse is that he is confused, frustrated and inexperienced in matters of the heart. At which point he turns to his father – up until now he has been disappointed with their connection, but he finds the obligatory sage advice.
These are the key scenarios which set up all of the most powerful heartbreaking moments for the viewer.
Dylan, with the help of his father, is the unexpected and extremely unwilling hero of the story.
The zoo crew are resistant to Benjamin at first because he’s an outsider with no experience, a noob. They are confused and curious about his intentions and motivation.
Dylan, don’t open the snake box!
The troubles ie bills keep stacking up, but Benjamin is earning their respect. It’s not even about respect to him. It’s about being sincere, making an effort to build something real and taking responsibility.
Dylan screws up the thing with Lilly, he breaks the girl’s heart because he doesn’t realise and therefore show that he values her. He hasn’t appreciated her and that causes her pain when she discovers it.
Benjamin doesn’t want to put down the big cat – tied to this is the memory of losing his wife.
An overheard conversation with scarlett spawns a verbal faceoff between father and son, my personal favourite scene in the movie.
A very rewatchable tear-jerker for the guys. Not a very cerebral film, a small film. A nice film.
3.5 stars
the joy of eating and the folly of thinking 