It features two major stars, Matt Damon and Scarlett Johannson, in the lead roles and the director, Cameron Crowe, knows his way around a feel-good movie.

It's based on a true story about Benjamin (Damon), who must deal with the death of his wife. His children are taking it badly and misbehaving at school. He changes their life dramatically by moving to an old house in South California, which has its own private zoo. It belonged to the former owner of the house, but the zoo is badly in need of a cash injection.

A loyal team of animal lovers, led by Kelly (Johansson), is trying to keep the zoo open. Ben recognises this as a project that could change his life, and that of his kids. This version is more sentimental and cute than the book was. Nothing in the film is bad, but the relentless sweetness eventually becomes cloying.