We bought a zoo (Matt Damon)

(Amazon UK link)

It’s over ten years since we watched ‘We bought a zoo’, a 2011 film which we assumed, at first, was a children’s film. In more than a decade I had forgotten everything other than the overall story: a family who knew nothing about zoos decided to buy one. But I could not recall why, or the circumstances leading up to the purchase.

It turns out that the film was based on a true story. Benjamin (brilliantly portrayed by Matt Damon) has been recently widowed. He had lived quite an adventurous life as a reporter, but, as the introduction tells us, nothing prepared him for being a single father, not just grieving himself but having to deal with both the practical and emotional ramifications for his teenage son Dylan (Colin Ford) and his seven-year-old daughter Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones). 

Dylan is going through a rough patch at school and after three incidents, triggered by his anger and depression, he is expelled. Benjamin decides they need to make a new start, in a house that doesn’t remind them all of his late wife. So he goes house-hunting with Rosie in quite an amusing sequence. None of the houses feel right to them at all, until they find out way out in the countryside, which they both feel is perfect.

It has just one problem: it comes with a zoo. However, Rosie manages to convince him to take it on. Dylan is unimpressed - he has no choice in the matter - and he becomes even more miserable. But Rosie is absolutely delightful - we were very impressed with the actress, and the wonderful father-daughter chemistry with Matt Damon. 

The zoo has a team who run it, which is just as well since Benjamin doesn’t have any idea what should be done. And he quickly learns that it’s really not financially viable. It needs a lot of repairs, the animals need constant, expensive feeding; some of them need veterinary help, which costs even more. And it has to pass an inspection before it’s allowed to open to the public…

Scarlett Johansson is excellent as Kelly, the head zookeeper. She keeps Benjamin informed about the animals’ needs, and is clearly rather attracted to him, although he doesn’t appear to be interested. There are four or five others on the team, some more useful than others, with different roles. They’re glad to have a new boss, but unimpressed with his lack of knowledge. He pours all his savings into the zoo, but it doesn’t look as if it’s going to be sufficient. And at one point he’s ready to quit. 

I really liked Benjamin’s older brother Duncan (Thomas Haden Church) although he looked as though he was at least twenty years older. Duncan is an accountant, and gives sensible advice, most of which Benjamin ignores. But Duncan doesn’t take offence. Instead, he joins in with the team when he can, and makes every effort to ensure that the zoo is up to the necessary standards before it has its final inspection.

There are lots of scenes with animals, inevitably, some of them quite exotic. There are poignant scenes with an elderly tiger, and cute ones with baby peacocks. There’s quite a scary one with a bear that manages to escape, too. And lots of animals in the background of shots - it’s clearly a well-kept zoo, with caring staff and plenty of space for the animals. More like a wildlife park than a zoo, and that’s how they decide to promote it.

Alongside the frantic work to upgrade facilities, there’s an excellent side story involving Benjamin’s difficult relationship with Dylan, one which gets worse before it gets better. And there’s a very low key boy-girl thread, with Kelly’s cousin Lily (Elle Fanning) as a somewhat giggly teenager who is determined to befriend Dylan. 

We thoroughly enjoyed this film, which is over two hours long but didn’t feel at all dull. The rating is PG which reflects the lack of anything sexual or violent; I don’t recall any 'strong' language either. It would probably be fine to show this to children from the age of about eight or nine, although they might miss a lot of the subtleties. Sensitive children could be disturbed by some of the anger and by some quite disturbing pictures that Dylan draws. It’s really, in my view, a film for teens and adults. 

There’s an interesting ‘extra’ about how the animals were trained - all very humanely and lovingly. 

Apparently the film, set in the United States, is only loosely based on the true story (which took place in the UK), but the real Benjamin Mee was involved in the production.  

Review copyright 2026 Sue's DVD Reviews