We Bought a Zoo
2011 · Directed by Cameron Crowe
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
- family
The story
Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo – welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper and the rest of the staff, but, the zoo soon runs into financial trouble.
What it’s like
Warm, muddy and humid-green, with the English countryside rendered in soft overcast light and long rain-streaked wides that make the Rosemoor grounds feel lived-in rather than picturesque. Cameron Crowe frames his people in unhurried medium shots, letting conversations breathe in kitchens, mud-soaked paddocks and dim enclosures, while the animals and the wet, hard physical labour of repairing a neglected zoo give the picture a tactile, earthy texture. The score is gentle acoustic and piano, with bird calls, rain on tin roofs and the low murmur of staff at work filling the quieter stretches. Its vibe is tender, wry and quietly hopeful, the kind of easy watch for a rainy Sunday, a comfort rewatch, or an evening when you want something sincere without strain. Pacing is relaxed, with comedy arising from ordinary frictions and a grieving father, a wary son and a determined keeper slowly learning to trust one another. Intensity is low: some money worries and emotional strain, a brief moment of animal peril, and no violence, gore or sexual content. It suits viewers who want heartfelt family drama with humour and animals, and a story about starting again.
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