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