Matt Damon has had a strong career playing serious guys like Jason Bourne or the title character in “Good Will Hunting.” So it is easy to forget his ability for comedy.

    But it works out well for him here in Cameron Crowe’s new family comedy.

    Based on a true story, the film casts Damon as Benjamin Mee, adventure* journalist* who has lost his enthusiasm for his work since the death of his wife. He’s also troubled by problems with his 15-year-old son Dylan (Colin Ford) who is about to be driven out of school for drawing disturbing* pictures and stealing.

    Mee decides the only thing that can keep him involved in his kids’ lives is to move them out of suburban* Los Angeles. So he is looking in the San Fernando Valley and falls for a great old house, only to discover two important things: The house is part of a larger property — and that larger property includes a zoo with exotic* animals.

    If Mee wants a distraction from his own life, here it is — complete with a mean* zoo inspector (John Michael Higgins), a sadly aging tiger — and a hot zookeeper (Scarlett Johansson). It’s perfect for his 5-year-old daughter, Rosie, played by cute Maggie Elizabeth Jones.

    The mug* at Damon’s elbow is Mee’s brother, Duncan (Thomas Haden Church). And Mee learns that he needs more than a positive attitude to do the challenging zoological duties, including working with head zookeeper Johansson.

    Crowe’s story-telling is straightforward. But he understands that stories like these have their own gravity and pace.

    Johansson has to play the tough divorced zookeeper who just wants to keep the zoo going and her animals healthy.

    Damon has always had a sincere* nature, even as a cold-blooded killer. He’s natural at playing a concerned father trying to keep his dream afloat, even as it threatens to bankrupt him. He’s a nice guy in a challenging position, trying to maintain his sense of grace — and doing it.

    Bottom line: The movie is confident and entertaining.(SD-Agencies)