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(out of 5)

Gertrude Davies Lintz (Rene Russo), upon whose autobiography Animals Are My Hobby this beautiful family film is based, is a rich east coast socialite who has populated her mansion and its extensive grounds with animals of all kinds. Inside her home she, along with her warmhearted husband (Robbie Coltrane), raises chimpanzees. She rescues an orphaned baby gorilla from the local zoo and takes it home to raise it with the rest of her family, naming him Buddy and keeping him with her until he gets too old and his primitive instincts take over his abilities to function as a lovable, housebroken pet. The last bit of the film may be a bit too scary for the youngsters, but I myself was appreciative of the sensitive and smart character development that it showed between the gorilla and his loving master. Russo, in her first solo lead role, is exemplary, a charismatic movie star worth watching if ever there was one, and the beautiful art direction provides much for the eye to enjoy looking at. Davies Lintz’s work with her apes provided much inspiration for later researchers Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall.

Jim Henson Pictures, American Zoetrope, Columbia Pictures Corporation

USA, 1997

Directed by Caroline Thompson

Story by William Joyce, Caroline Thompson, Screenplay by Caroline Thompson, based on the book Animals Are My Hobby by Gertrude Davies Lintz

Cinematography by Steve Mason

Produced by Fred Fuchs, Steve Nicolaides

Music by Elmer Bernstein

Production Design by Daniel A. Lomino, David Nichols

Costume Design by Colleen Atwood

Film Editing by Jonathan P. Shaw