We Bought a Zoo, written and directed by Cameron Crowe - 7 out of 10

We Bought a Zoo, written and directed by Cameron Crowe
7 out of 10


Although the director and one of the writers is Cameron Crowe - whose Almost Famous is ten times better - and in the cast we have some superstars, this film is rather modest.

We have been used to expect more from 

Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson and Thomas Haden Church.

Having said that, it must be added that We Bought a Zoo is not without merits.

Matt Damon has the role of Benjamin Mee, a widower with two children who wants to get over the trauma of losing his wife.
He would think about her, see the attractive woman in flashbacks.

He wants to buy a house and when the real estate agent shows him a pleasant, well placed building, he is enchanted.
Although this is the first day for this realtor, it looks like the potential client is convinced this is the dream house.

Nevertheless, the ethical agent keeps trying to temper the enthusiasm of this determined buyer:

It is complicated...
I want this house!
Well, you see, there is more...

Finally, the catch is mentioned:

It has a zoo...
What do you mean
It can only be sold together with the animals.

When they go out they see the lion, Solomon I think they called him, Tigers and macaws.
By the way, I have a small zoo of my own, including two splendid macaws.

Benjamin Mee is told that the property has been on the market for two years.
If nobody buys it, the animals would be euthanized.
If he was too enthusiastic in the first place, the hero is now against buying the place:

I do not know anything about keeping animals

As we expect and are informed by the title:

They bought a zoo...

So now they have to face financial problems, a vicious inspector, the prospect of losing one of the Tigers and other such potential calamities.
Scarlet Johansson aka Kelly Foster is there to help and others with her.

As you have anticipated-haven't you? - Kelly Foster would not help only the Tigers, lion, macaws and the rest of the fauna, but also the protagonist solve his emotional issues.

"All's Well That Ends Well" -William Shakespeare