I saw this as part of a two-movie matinee at a multiplex one town over. And I loved it!
Even _after_ I was surprised to learn that it was _not_ based on a true story.
Yes, there's a lot of disbelief that has to be suspended during the first thirty minutes spent bringing the three main characters together. A classical music student who just lost the only remaining member of her biological family. A lion cub poached from its mother in Africa. And a wolf pup whose mother is trying to evade some well-meaning (but over-eager) zoologists.
But, once the plot gimmicks fully intersected, there wasn't one moment I wasn't suitably (and shamelessly) teary-eyed. Especially the scenes where Rafa's father tries to teach the boy about the "proper" way to "tame" circus lions.
Oh, brother!
Now, I have no doubt such low-life individuals are the ones who give circuses as a whole a bad name. But, I'm just as sure that _not_ all circuses are so cruel to the animals born-and-raised within them. Just like _not_ all Italian-Americans (of which I am one-fourth) are all Mafiosi! And, for that reason, alone, I give this nine-out-of-ten stars.
My original opinion remains the same, however. This is a beautiful film that all families will enjoy. And I urge all parents to go see it...with their kids in tow.
Even _after_ I was surprised to learn that it was _not_ based on a true story.
Yes, there's a lot of disbelief that has to be suspended during the first thirty minutes spent bringing the three main characters together. A classical music student who just lost the only remaining member of her biological family. A lion cub poached from its mother in Africa. And a wolf pup whose mother is trying to evade some well-meaning (but over-eager) zoologists.
But, once the plot gimmicks fully intersected, there wasn't one moment I wasn't suitably (and shamelessly) teary-eyed. Especially the scenes where Rafa's father tries to teach the boy about the "proper" way to "tame" circus lions.
Oh, brother!
Now, I have no doubt such low-life individuals are the ones who give circuses as a whole a bad name. But, I'm just as sure that _not_ all circuses are so cruel to the animals born-and-raised within them. Just like _not_ all Italian-Americans (of which I am one-fourth) are all Mafiosi! And, for that reason, alone, I give this nine-out-of-ten stars.
My original opinion remains the same, however. This is a beautiful film that all families will enjoy. And I urge all parents to go see it...with their kids in tow.