The Zookeeper
Directed by Frank Coraci, The Zookeeper is a family-friendly comedy that combines humor with heartwarming moments, featuring a man’s journey to finding love with the unexpected help of the animals he cares for. The movie stars Kevin James as Griffin Keyes, a kind-hearted zookeeper, whose life takes an unexpected turn when his animal friends start speaking to him.
Griffin Keyes (Kevin James) is a zookeeper at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, a job he loves but feels it is keeping him from finding a meaningful romantic relationship. When his girlfriend, Stephanie (Leslie Bibb), rejects his proposal due to his job, Griffin decides to leave his beloved position and start a new career in the high-stakes world of selling luxury cars.
However, the animals at the zoo, led by a charismatic gorilla named Bernie (voiced by Nick Nolte), decide to break their long-standing rule of silence and speak to Griffin. They offer him advice on how to win back his true love and even teach him how to impress women. With their humorous guidance, Griffin’s life takes a new turn, and he finds that true love may be closer than he thought, especially from his co-worker Kate (Rosario Dawson).
Frank Coraci’s direction embraces a lighthearted tone with plenty of slapstick humor and physical comedy. The film follows a predictable yet charming formula, focusing on Griffin’s transformation as he learns the value of love, honesty, and self-worth. The movie relies heavily on animal humor, which makes for a family-friendly vibe and appeals to younger audiences.