Sunday was a God day.
I wrote about it here.
And the comments. Well, they’re God things to me, too.
But I forgot to mention the zoo.
The pastor talked about it before he launched into his message.
Well, I guess it was part of the message when you think about it. That whole ark deal was a bit of a zoo.
He talked about the movie, We Bought a Zoo.
I’m not sure we’d have ever considered it, considering we don’t go to many movies.
Or enough movies, either, considering what a writer can learn from them.
Anyway, when he told us it was a movie about dealing with grief, that it was based on a true story and had all these cool animals, we knew we had to go.
And in keeping with our low-key, close-to-home day, we decided to go to the local hometown theater.
The one that shows only a couple movies at a time. One downstairs and one up in what used to be the balcony.
Where one’s feet sometimes stick to the floor. Where the seats are a bit wiggly.
Where both our tickets together cost less than one at the senior rate where we usually go.
And the price of popcorn and a drink didn’t cause us to pull out the plastic.
Plus we saved gas.
Anyway, the movie is based on the book and true story of Benjamin Mee’s family who bought and refurbished a small dilapidated zoo in England. The book also tells the story of Katherine, Benjamin’s wife, who died of a brain tumor–a glioblastoma. (God bump. That’s what my mom had.) Though the movie doesn’t really make mention of why she died.
In the movie, Katherine has been gone for six months, and the family–Benjamin, young daughter, teenage son–is struggling with their grief. Benjamin decides they need a fresh start. He quits his newspaper job (he refuses a severance package because he’s “sick of sympathy”) and ends up buying a mess of a zoo with a house on the property. The family’s on a mission in their mourning to save these animals–though it takes a while for Dylan, the son, who’s been stealing and creating dark drawings, to get on board with the program.
There are some great lines that stuck with me.
Like this one from Benjamin. “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”
And from Rosie, his seven-year-old daughter. “Their happy is too loud.” Have you ever felt that way when you hurt?
There’s a little language and a little drinking, but it’s mostly a movie about good grieving. It’s about learning to communicate feelings and rebuild a life after losing a loved one. About accepting the pain but redirecting it. About finding and pursuing a purpose.
There’s humor and a touch of romance. It’s beautiful and tender but not depressing. I shed sad tears and happy tears.
I’m going to buy the DVD.
Oh, and P.S. A bit of trivia. The real Mees are the first family to climb over the tree on opening day.
The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief—But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love. ~Hilary Stanton Zunin
It’s been a while since I linked up with Peter Pollock’s One Word at a Time Blog Carnival. This week the gang is writing on the word, fresh. Since the Mees were making a fresh start, since I feel in need of a fresh start, I think this post fits.
Hooray! I can’t wait to see that movie, now!
Speaking of zoos, one of our local giraffes just had a baby, and I’ve been trying to go see it for weeks…you know, before it grows up. It’s already taller than me because of it’s really long neck…
We feed the giraffes, at our zoo. I really want to feed that baby giraffe…
I love giraffes!
**its really long neck
I’m grammatically challenged at the moment.
No red pens here. 🙂
Now I will have to see it!
I know your path (although each one is different, they are still alike). I know it leads surely to a place where heaven bends low and there is glory–the glory is one of overcoming and of knowing our Lord has touched all things and his light cannot be extinguished. Ah, it is an agony and it is a gift and one day (as you walk through it with him) you will hold it close.
Wishing you his manifest presence in 2012.
He’s touched all things, allowed all things, and gives us each other to journey together as He goes before and behind. I’m not sure we ever get through it, but it does become part of us. Grateful for you.
Saw the movie this past weekend…I basically cried through the whole thing (but I loved it!).
Definitely tear worthy. But I laughed, too. 🙂
I agree! John and I went to see it over Christmas because we are huge Cameron Crowe fans. He’s good at “happy-sad” movies (his word).
See, that’s how movie challenged I am. I didn’t even know who he was. It’s a movie I want to see again–for sure.
Okay, now I’m definitely going to go see this one!
🙂 Hope you love it, too.
Are you really feeding a giraffe? Too cool. Not sure how to seque here, but I’m glad that movie ministered (not sure if this is the right word) to you based on what you wrote…praying that God continues to meet you in your grief. To answer your question in your post: I have felt that way “Their happy is too loud.” Sounds like I need to go see that movie.
I am! They sell special biscuits for them. Did you get a gander at that blue-black tongue? I love giraffes.
And “ministered’ is exactly the right word. 🙂
I loved this movie. I loved all the lines you did, and thought that little girl was just as cute as they come. Every time she said, “WE bought a ZOO!” I wanted to hug her.
My favorite part was the safety deposit box, knowing that his wife could see beyond herself and wanted the best for her family, even if she couldn’t be there.
Great review.
Oh, I’d forgotten about the box. And so glad he took the risk.
That little Rosie. How adorable! My daughter took Grace and her friend tonight to see the movie. I’m anxious to hear what they thought.
Okay. I thought I’d wait to see it on DVD, but I’m going this weekend to see it on the big screen!
Let me know what you think!
I can’t wait to see the movie. Scott and I want to see this one; the girls want to see the chipmunks. 🙂 We’ll see who wins tomorrow afternoon at the matinee. (The girls get out of school early tomorrow, so off to the theater we go!)
Thank you for sharing your story. I love your voice in community. LOVES to you.
So who won?
I’m so glad I know you. Loves back.
I’ll definitely have to see this movie. I’m all about fresh starts! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jerralea,
I just know you’ll like it. Interesting. I watched the trailer again and heard stuff I’d missed.
It looks like a giraffe-kiss is warming your heart!
I would have kissed that sweet thing right on the nose. I guess I could have. Next time. 🙂
“lifted” part of your quote and linked to you today … hope that’s okay?!
Cool! Of course!
JUST getting to this one, Sandy. Oh YES I want to see it. Maybe tomorrow. Yes, that’s it. TOMORROW. So glad you went, that you were comforted – by tears and laughter. Love you.
That sounds like a great movie! I had the same God bumps after my husband passed away. I went to see Castaway. One line really struck a chord with me. “You’ve got to keep breathing, because tomorrow the sun will come up, and you don’t know what the tide will bring in.”
Thank you for the movie review. I think I will head to the theater this next weekend. May God continue to hold you close as you pass through this time of grief.
I came back to the One Word and found you there. A new direction and doing something worthwhile tugs at my heart.