"Water for Elephants"
Plot: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.
Got your attention?
Yes? This is a rather unique interpretation from the novel by the same name by Sara Gruen.
Director Francis Lawrence takes us on a visually stunning journey behind the scenes of a circus troupe with all of its highs and lows covered.
The three main players are Robert Pattinson (aka hunky Twilight bloke)as "Jacob" the Polish med student whose life takes a drastic turn.
Reese Witherspoon (needs no introduction)as the Circus' Star Attraction "Marlena Rosenbluth" and last but certainly not least Ring Master extroidinaire "August" played with precise precision by Christoph Waltz.
This movie deserves a lot of praise. It takes us right into the very heart that was America during the Great Depression and Prohibition era.
A time of total despair for most and outrageous opulance for others.
I went along with the plot even if it was slightly far fetched. I've never heard of a Polish speaking Elephant before. Have you?
I found the old man (Hal Holbrook)at the start reliving his youth to an overly sympathetic bystander predictable. So too was the seen it all before ending.
However,the CGI was magnificent and afforded us spectacular visions of train escapes,lively circus antics and poignant moments between man and beast.
Mr Pattinson was well cast as the sinfully attractive young man at a crossroads in his life. It was important that this part was played with an element of subtelty. This gave room for the real star of the show to shine.
Mr Christoph Walz was plucked from obscurity from German TV shows by Quentin Tarantino. Quentin magically cast the Austrian born actor in his movie "Inglorious Basterds".
Walz went onto win a shitload of awards for his daring role as "Col. Hans Landa"(including both the BAFTA and the OSCAR for Best Supporting Actor.)
In "Water for Elephants" we are treated to more of Walz stunning talent. The character of "August" is a layered and complex one. This ripe performer shows us the devastating effects of a Jekyl and Hyde personality.A truly intimidating and unpredictable force that delivers relentless terror to all those around him. Well done Walz!! What's next?
Caravan park pretty Reese Witherspoon graduates to a mature sexier version of herself
in this movie.
I've never really understood what all the fuss is about with Reese."Walk the Line" Phlease! However I believe she really did her homework this time.
"Marlena" is someone who never recovered from being abandoned at birth. August who "saves" her and showers her with fame and money is therefore forgiven a multitude of sins. Her whole life is at the mercy of one man. That sucks when that one man is nutty as a fruit cake!
Enter kind hearted,animal loving "Jacob"....
Inevitably,she has no choice to fall desparately in love with him.
This is one area where the film really falls down for me. This movie is actually marketed as a Love story. Believe me folks this is no "Gone with the Wind" or " Bridges over Madison County"
There are a number of ingredients for a good love story. For example the delicious build up of sexual tension or even a decent snog scene. Neither is apparant here.
Reece shows more affection for the bloody horses and elephants! When she finally declares "I love you" to "Jacob" its so painfully contrived.
Shame really. These two visually make a beautiful couple.
I suppose with Walz stealing every scene,nothing really compares anyway.
Not to worry. It was still a pleasurable way to kill two hours.
GO FOR IT!
JAX
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