We didn't get a lot of money from the film but we did get a lot of attention and that was the main motivation for doing it." Amur Leopards are one of the rarest species on the planet, with only around 90 left in the wild, and Dartmoor Zoo is working towards a breeding program which could see their numbers increase in the future. The zoo is currently fundraising to finish building the enclosure, which recently had a platform added by Hands On, who run work programs for companies. Salter, Jessica (3 Mar 2012). "We Bought a Zoo: the true story behind the film". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2020-09-19 . Retrieved 30 Nov 2013. Rich, Katey (2010-05-17). "Cameron Crowe Commits To We Bought A Zoo For Late 2011 Release". Cinema Blend . Retrieved 2010-10-29. a b c d Kit, Borys (2010-05-17). "Cameron Crowe to direct 'Zoo' ". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2011-09-27.

The in-progress Amur Leopard enclosure. While it used to home jaguars (who ate part of the wooden hutch) and lions, Benjamin hopes it will soon hold one of the rarest species on earth (Image: Shannon Brown/PlymouthLive) Colin Ford as Dylan Mee, [6] Benjamin's 14-year-old son, who is initially drawn to Lily and eventually develops feelings for her and has a strained and rough relationship with his father. Gabrielle to visit Plymouth, Bath and Bournemouth on 30 Years of Dreaming tour Read More Related Articles Dargis, Manohla (2011-12-22). "A Modern-Day Ark, With Children, Animals and Even Romance". The New York Times . Retrieved 2011-12-29.Actually, they made a fairly sympathetic - a very sympathetic film. About 50 per cent of it you could relate to as factual. Then, you know, there's a lot of drama and it's a much shortened story. But it was extremely surreal to see it with my kids, and see Matt Damon on the screen." verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{

a b Mariotti, Greg (2011-08-01). "Sigur Rós Frontman Jónsi Scoring We Bought A Zoo". The Uncool . Retrieved 2011-09-27. The Hollywood Reporter commented that the film "has heart, humanity and a warmly empathetic central performance from Matt Damon", although it "doesn't dodge the potholes of earnest sentimentality and at times overplays the whimsy"; ultimately concluding that "Cameron Crowe's film has some rough edges, but it ultimately delivers thanks to Matt Damon's moving performance."" [20] Home media [ edit ] After managing to get the place up and running, Benjamin - who was a journalist before becoming a zoo CEO - wrote a book about the trials and tribulations of running a zoo, and the tragic loss of his wife, Katherine, just after the family moved in. Rolling in the Deep' Rolls Away With Song of the Year at 2012 BMI London Awards". BMI.com. October 9, 2012 . Retrieved May 29, 2015. At the film's outset, Benjamin Mee is still in mourning after the death of his wife. He's raising their kids Dylan ( Colin Ford), in his mid-teens, and Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), who is 7. Dylan is nabbed for shoplifting, and Benjamin, a journalist, decides it's time to leave the big city and raise them in the country. He finds an ideal house, which the real-estate agent only gradually explains comes with its own menagerie. The place was once a private zoo, shut down for reasons involving money and regulations, and Kelly Foster (Johansson) minds the animals with the help of Peter (Angus Macfadyen), a pipe-puffing Scotsman, and Kelly's teen niece, Lily ( Elle Fanning), who seems not entirely unaware she's in a script that may require her to sooner or later kiss Dylan.

Benjamin Mee has been grieving the loss of his wife, Katherine, for seven months. When his 14-year-old son Dylan is expelled from school, Benjamin realizes that the family's current situation is not working, they are all grieving, and everything around them reminds them of Katherine. Benjamin decides to make a fresh start, starting with a new home. Knegt, Peter (December 19, 2011). " 'Descendants,' 'Drive' Lead Satellite Award Winners". Indiewire . Retrieved May 29, 2015.