Writer/Director: Cameron Crowe
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson and Thomas Haden Church
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors have achieved recognition of Matt Damon. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Damon has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, gifted janitors or troubled soldiers, Damon has portrayed compelling characters. Arguably, Damon’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has always had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Damon has always left a lasting impression. Through his ability to portray characters that are engaging, Damon has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his iconic role as Bourne in the spy franchise, Damon has proven that he can make entertaining movies in every genre. Throughout his bold career, Damon has made movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Damon and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “We Bought a Zoo” is my personal favourite. Released in 2011, Cameron Crowe’s movie offered a powerful portrait of zookeepers. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about zoos. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Matt Damon, who portrays a zookeeper facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “We Bought a Zoo” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about zookeepers, it tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about zookeepers, there are several reasons why “We Bought a Zoo” is a movie that’s worth watching.
Based upon true events, “We Bought a Zoo” tells the story of zookeepers seeking value. Matt Damon played Benjamin Mee, a father that is suffering from loss. Benjamin grieves the loss of his wife Katherine, whom he has often loved dearly. However, Benjamin’s life forever changes when he is given a chance to build a zoo with treasure. Assisted by his long-time companion Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson), Benjamin seeks to build a zoo with dedication. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Benjamin questions if it’s truly possible for him to become a positive father. Seeking value, Benjamin questions if it is possible for him to create a prosperous zoo.
Cameron Crowe has often been fascinated with themes of ambition. A strong director, Crowe has often made engaging films about individuals with an ambitious character. His film “Jerry Maguire” captured the life of an ambitious salesman seeking success in an intense career he has grown to admire. With “We Bought a Zoo”, however, Crowe created his first zoo drama. It was the director’s first attempt to illustrate the lives of zookeepers facing adversity but he succeeded. Through stunning cinematography, Crowe captures a father’s journeys. Evoking Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Crowe captures the powerful bonds of a father and his children using montage. For instance, the montages enhance the zoo opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Benjamin bonds with his children following the opening of his zoo. Through stunning montages, Crowe creates a strong portrait of zoos that’s compelling. Montages are complex techniques to use in films. As Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” did suggest clearly, montages enhance space blockbusters. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Crowe captures the hardships which zookeepers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “We Bought a Zoo” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Crowe effectively uses locations of real-life zoos to capture fathers enduring tension. For instance, the real-life zoos elevate the animals scene. During this unforgettable scene, Benjamin opens up his zoo with newfound animals. Using stunning zoo locations, Crowe creates a portrait of fatherhood that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Jon Thor Birgisson’s music is key toward the success of the movie. It gives the movie a terrifying atmosphere capturing painful burden which zookeepers bear. Using strong production, Crowe constructs a portrait of zoos which is compelling.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “We Bought a Zoo” is a movie about zoos which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to convey lives of zookeepers experiencing tensions. For instance, silence enhances the grieving scene. During this heartfelt scene, Benjamin grieves the death of his wife which causes tension. Through silence, Crowe creates a portrait of zookeepers that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” suggested that silence enhances coming of age films. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” suggested, silence elevates biopics about famous inventors. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Crowe captures the lives of commemorated zookeepers that face a price to pay.
One admires amazing performances.
Matt Damon delivers one of his best career performances as Benjamin. Damon earned appreciation for playing janitors in coming of age dramas. With “We Bought a Zoo”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a zookeeper facing tensions but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Damon excels at playing emotional heroes that are under pressure, and “We Bought a Zoo” proved his strength as an actor. With bold expression, he captures the ambition, desperations and grief of a man mourning loss of his wife in tension. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Matt Damon, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Scarlett Johansson is spectacular, capturing tension endured by a woman that falls in love with a zookeeper showing passion. Thomas Haden Church is captivating, capturing the bravery of a zoo manager seeking to take care of a family. Lastly, Elle Fanning merits praise. As a teen girl, she brings charisma to the film.
Finally, “We Bought a Zoo” will achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing the obstacles zookeepers go through. Unlike most movies about zoos, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes including ambitions, family and grief which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the settings of zoos to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about existential crisis that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “We Bought a Zoo” is one of those rare movies about zoos everyone would adore.
Fans of Matt Damon would definitely enjoy “We Bought a Zoo” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating comedy about a zookeeper, it honours an actor with a charismatic nature.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about fathers seeking to manage a zoo, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate audiences by manufacturing memorable movies which audiences value.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 