The filmmaker who wowed audiences with his romantic comedy, Jerry Maguire, has now turned his hand to a love story about a man who buys who buys a zoo.
Cameron Crowe was attracted to the script based on a BBC mini-series called Ben’s Zoo, in which a journalist called Benjamin Mee moves his family into the Dartmoor Zoological Park.
Of course for American audiences the location has been changed to the US, and this is a loose adaption by the same screenwriter who came up with The Devil Wears Prada.
'We Bought a Zoo' is based on a book
The main character Benjamin will be played by Matt Damon who is one of the most likeable and versatile actors in Hollywood. In it he plays a widower who is disillusioned
with his job as a reporter and who is trying to cope with two troubled children.
In an attempt to start over, the movie has Benjamin moving into the Rosemoor Wildlife Park, which he sees as part of his new destiny.
But the job is far from easy as he has a lot of repair work to do and a sick tiger to care for.
In one memorable scene the zoo keeper is hassled by a bunch of hungry ostriches. The touch of Hollywood is never far from this movie as the love interest of Benjamin is played by attractive female zoo keeper Scarlett Johansson. However audiences are promised an unusual ending.
Cameron says: “People make this big case, ‘You gotta move on, you gotta move on.’ And I say, ‘Really?”
“Who says you have to move on?”.
“Benjamin is a guy who is still in love with his wife, and he is not going to get shaken from that.
That’s the greater challenge: to pay tribute to the person who’s not around anymore.”
‘We Bought a Zoo’ is available for general release on December 23. If you want to live the movie experience, and try your hand at being a zoo keeper for the day, contact Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm on 01275 852 606.
Great film on the trials and tribulations of a family
What a awesome movie and awesome that Mr. Mee did this for his family and the animals.
My daughter and I are putting this on oir bucket list to visit this zoo. Please send us the address.
Thank you
Vickey/madison
Just saw the movie with my wife. This was a great movie and my wife cryed when the tiger had to. be put down. I would have to rate this movie good 10 plus.
What a terrificly beautiful story. I would recommend this to anyone, animal-lover or not.
hey im wondering where this zoo is plz mesg me back asap cause im planing a trip there
Hi we are in Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG. The zoo reopens on Saturday February 4.
Also just to stay, when we wrote this blog we had no idea how popular it would be, it’s had 11,000 views in around six weeks. The film has really captured the imagination which is great to see.
Just watched the movie yesterday at the request of my 12 year old son. What a great movie, very heart telling story, inspirational and well done. I would have to say if any of this story is true to real life, my hat off to the family for there bravery.. Highkly recommend this film for all ages!!!!