THE PLOT: Benjamin (Damon) has lost his wife. In a bid to start his life over, he purchases a large house that has a zoo. This is welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper, Kelly (Johansson), and the rest of the staff. But, they soon run into financial trouble. The staff must get the zoo back to its former glory.

WORTH WATCHING? There is nothing complicated about this family entertainer. There’s no racket, no unrealistic add-ons, and definitely no painful melodrama. It is what we would like to call a ‘lazy afternoon movie’. This easy-watch leaves you feeling happy and warm. Damon does a good job portraying the worries of a widowed father. It shows how simple mankind really is and how anything in life is only as complicated as we want it to be. In 124 minutes, you will have all the optimism you need to last you a lifetime. It’s an extraordinary tale of a simple family.

VERDICT: This film is beautiful from start to finish.