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We Bought a Zoo
2011 124 min United States of America PG 12+
★7.0
Drama, Comedy, Family
Director: Cameron Crowe
🎭 Based on
«We Bought a Zoo»
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
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.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$75.62M
Worldwide:
$120.08M
Starring
Matt Damon
Actor
Scarlett Johansson
Actor
Thomas Haden Church
Actor
Awards
1 win & 8 nominations total
Key opinion
We Bought a Zoo is widely regarded as a sincere and emotionally resonant family drama that effectively balances themes of grief, recovery, and parent-child connection. While some viewers criticize its predictability and adherence to genre tropes, most find the performances and heart-warming atmosphere to be highly satisfying.
| Acting | Matt Damon delivers a compelling, understated performance that effectively anchors the film's emotional exploration of fatherhood and grief. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds in delivering a genuine emotional impact, resonating with audiences through its honest portrayal of loss and family healing. | |
| Score | The soundtrack provides an exceptional, immersive atmosphere that complements the film's tender and hopeful tone. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay adheres strictly to familiar, sentimental melodrama conventions, leading to a predictable experience for some viewers. | |
| Pacing | The runtime and pacing are viewed as either well-balanced and engaging or overly drawn-out, depending on the viewer's tolerance for the film's contemplative, slow-burn approach. |