A family struggling after the loss of their wife and mother moves to Southern California to buy a zoo. Based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee. Starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning.

This great, feel-good film can feel a bit slow at times, but its warmth and sincerity more than make up for it. Your heart will ache as you watch this sweet family go through the grieving process in their own unique and personal ways, even as they are trying to rebuild their lives.  There are lighthearted moments, too, and director Cameron Crowe focuses on the moving forward that happens after loss, which makes for a satisfying film.  He doesn’t include the events leading up to Mee’s decision to buy the zoo, but there is some excellent special feature footage that is worth checking out for more of the backstory.  This film is worth a watch.