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December 31, 2013.

This blog is now closed. After three years and 311 posts, I have decided to end this blog. I have enjoyed watching the films, reviewing them, and interacting with global readers.

If you are interested in contacting me, you can do so by commenting on any of the posts. The blog will remain live on the web.
Thank you to all the readers for your comments, ideas, and thoughts. They were helpful, stimulating, and enriching. This is Alene, signing off.

February 10, 2012

Water for Elephants (2011)



When it’s over, what I most remember about this film was the costumes, the sets, and the spectacle of a traveling circus during the 1930’s.  All these elements really set the mood and tone of this story about a young man who becomes homeless and penniless and by fate, ends up taking a job as a veterinarian in a traveling circus.  I was hesitant about Actor Robert Pattinson playing the lead role since everything synonymous to his name is associated with the Twilight franchise, but I was surprised and impressed by his portrayal of Jacob Jankowski, the narrator in Water for Elephants.  Actors Christoph Waltz (August) and Reese Witherspoon (Marlena) completed the romantic triangle.  However, I was slightly disappointed with Witherspoon, not that her acting wasn’t good, but more that she was miss-casted alongside Pattinson.  I think a younger actress would have fit the role better, since the book described Marlena to be relatively young.   I saw this film as a coming-of-age story about a young man who became a real man, and what sets this story apart from other films was really the backdrop.  Since coming-of-age stories are so common in films, having it take place on a train as the circus traveled from one city to another was rather interesting to watch.  I liked the way the film showed how animals were treated, how the performers and workers lived, and how the whole troupe was considered a “family.”  Lastly, I can’t forget to mention Rosie, the elephant.  She served to play an important role in the film, and without her character, the film wouldn't have come together.


My rating: 3.5 out of 5

1 comment:

  1. I agree! Resse is an amazing actress but I dont think that casting her as Roberts love interest was the best choice! In the end it worked, but I think it could have been much better with a younger actress...miss bella swan perhaps?? I'm JOKING!! Loved this movie, but it was hard to see some scenes where the animals weren't treated very well, but I'm glad they added that, it's a lot more realistic than most people would like to admit.

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