Some reviewers are moved by this being a 'true story', so it's worth mentioning from the beginning that it is not. The real Buddy was not picked up from a zoo and was not retired peacefully. He did not live with Lintz for as long as this gorilla did and he certainly wasn't dressed up to serve canapes to dinner guests. The true story has a ton more tragedy and sadness and cruelty, as well as a good deal more moral ambiguity in the figure of Lintz herself.
If the story were really based in reality then this movie's slackness might be forgivable. As it is, there's little to redeem it. The script is slack and any visual pleasure relies on the actions of the chimpanzees. Even Robbie Coltrane's smile can't penetrate the gloom of this production.
If the story were really based in reality then this movie's slackness might be forgivable. As it is, there's little to redeem it. The script is slack and any visual pleasure relies on the actions of the chimpanzees. Even Robbie Coltrane's smile can't penetrate the gloom of this production.