This movie belongs to Matt Damon, and he carries it well. He is Benjamin Mee, a journalist who quits his job because he is sick of all the pity he is receiving after the sudden death of his young wife, Katherine. Everywhere he goes reminds him of Katherine, and he decides that he and his children need a change of scenery so on a mere whim, he buys this beautiful house out in the country that also happens to be an out of business zoo. Here the real story begins.
Scarlett Johannson portrays Kelly, the lovely zookeeper who takes no crap from anyone. Elle Fanning is her cousin, Lilly who also works at the zoo, illegally of course, but apparently that is not a problem for whatever reason. There are also an assorted bunch of zookeepers and receptionists, some of whom are fascinating characters while others are just annoying, mainly the first secretary who also tries to turn the rest of the crew against their new boss.
And then there are the Mee children, 14 year old Dylan (Colin Ford) who has been having a difficult time adjusting to life without his mother, and sweet seven year old Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) who seems fine. Dylan hates the farm, his misses his old friends horribly and without realizing it, chases away one of the only friends he still has. Rosie enbraces the zoo, especially the peacocks and the babies.
Though there are some hurdles, and massive ones along the way, everything works out in the end, and Kelly and Benjamin end up together, just as everyone could predict, though in my opinion, because Benjamin is still wearing his wedding ring, it felt like he was cheating on her, though he most certainly was not. Still, the film is great feel good movie and it works out well, with excellent performances from Matt Damon (though he called his son 'man' one too many times) and the rest of the cast, including great comic relief from Thomas Haden Church, brilliant as Benjamin's brother, despite being typecast. Grade: B
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