In the movie, WE BOUGHT A ZOO, Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) is a Los Angeles newspaper columnist and adventure writer who, as a single father, faces the challenges of raising his two young children. Hoping that a fresh start and a new life will restore their family spirit, Mee quits his job and buys an old rural house outside the city with a unique bonus feature: a zoo named the Rosemoor Animal Park, where dozens of animals reside under the care of head zookeeper Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and her dedicated team. With no experience, limited time and a shoestring budget, Mee sets out with the support of his family and the local community to reopen the zoo. Now, Benjamin is no longer reporting an adventure story; he’s living it in his own backyard.
Refer to the WE BOUGHT A ZOO Film Companion in our Printables section. The study guide explores some of the most important themes raised by the movie. It can be used for personal study, post-movie family conversations and for larger group discussions.
Fun–and fun learning is forever learning!
Ann Simpson
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