It is the last picture of my 2011 movie going year and it is a gem, without sex or the 'f' word anywhere in sight , a
solid performance by Matt Damon with a supporting cast that can
tenderly bring tears to your eyes and tigers, lions, monkeys, parrots, 
flamingos, bears, zebras, porcupines, kangaroos, even snakes, that can
bring a smile to your face.

With
just a few minor missteps "We Bought A Zoo" is a movie for everyone. It
is rated PG but I can only think that is because 2 deaths, though
neither are seen, are part of the story. The screenplay written
by Aline Brosh McKenna and the director of the film, Cameron Crowe, is
based on a true story by journalist Benjamin Mee, played by Matt Damon,
touches the heartstrings and, except for quick fisticuffs , no violence.

Matt Damon is a solid performer
who is the equal of Tom Hanks in being a modern 'Everyman' and delivers
a strong performance here as a father, grieving husband and a new zoo
owner. His brother, Duncan, played by Thomas Haden Church, is believable
as the older sibling while Colin Ford shines as Damon's 14 year
old moody teenager son Dylan. Scarlett  Johansson, as the zookeeper,
gets into a natural romance with the new zoo owner Benjamin that comes
about slowly. Cast members like Angus Macfadyn, as the zoo
inspector, and the zoo crew played by John Michael Higgins, Patrick
Fugit, Stephanie Szostak and Peter Riegert all bring authenticity to
their roles.

I found Elle Fanning as Dylan's love interest just
a bit too 'smiley' and Maggie Elizabeth Jones as the 7 year old Rosie a
little too precocious for me but I am sure most of the audience
was/will be charmed by her.

One of
the missteps, which is shared by many movies now, is the running time.
At over 2 hours there are at least 4-5 scenes that could have been
shortened or just eliminated but don't let that stop you from seeing
this gem that won't win any awards but that will certainly win your
heart.