Wednesday, Film4, 6:35pm
Cameron Crowe’s We Bought a Zoo (2011) is a film that tugs on the heartstrings without descending into saccharine sentimentality. Based on a true story, the film follows Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) as he attempts to restart his family’s life after the loss of his wife by purchasing a dilapidated zoo. Crowe, known for his sincere portrayals of human relationships (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire), infuses the narrative with a deep sense of vulnerability and hope. It's a story about healing through unexpected challenges, offering moments of quiet triumph over grief and isolation, anchored by Damon’s warm, understated performance.
The soundtrack, predominantly crafted by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós’ Jónsi, acts as a vital counterpart to the film’s emotional weight. Known for their atmospheric and ethereal sound, Jónsi’s contributions bring a tender, uplifting quality to the story. His track “Gathering Stories,” co-written with Crowe, perfectly encapsulates the film’s underlying theme of renewal. Jónsi’s soaring falsetto and the track’s swelling instrumentation mirror the characters’ emotional arcs, creating moments of catharsis without overwhelming the viewer. The music is introspective yet expansive, much like the film itself, lending a dreamlike quality to the scenes of the zoo's transformation.
Beyond Jónsi’s contributions, the soundtrack incorporates a mix of classic rock and folk, which Crowe has always deftly woven into his films. Tom Petty’s "Don't Come Around Here No More" and Bob Dylan’s "Buckets of Rain" provide a grounding contrast to Jónsi’s ethereal soundscapes, reminding the audience of the raw, earthbound grief Benjamin is navigating. The score and song choices work in tandem to create a space where loss, hope, and rebuilding coexist, echoing the bittersweet yet optimistic tone of the film itself.
- Daisy Rae