Moviola > Films > Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants  (12A)   120 mins             Where can I see this film?

Director:  Francis Lawrence        Screenplay:  Richard LaGravenese,        from the novel by Sara Gruen        Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto        Original music: James Newton Howard

In 1930s upstate New York, Polish immigrant teenager Jacob (Robert Pattinson) is sitting his final exam to qualify as a vet at the prestigious Cornell University, when tragedy strikes.  He quits the exam, drops out of university and heads off to make a new life for himself.  He catches a ride on a passing train which turns out to be carrying the Benzini Brothers circus.  Our hero is taken under the wing of one of the back-stage workers, who helps him get a job – initially shovelling the manure left behind by his favourite act – the four horses that perform with the beautiful young Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). The scene is set from the moment Jacob discovers that Marlena is married to the ruthless ringmaster August (Christoph Waltz), who doesn’t think twice about throwing dissenters off the moving train between shows. But his brutality to his animals, staff – and wife – is based on fear of going out of business and jealousy; he’s not so much evil as insecure.  When August discovers that Jacob studied veterinary science, he promotes the newcomer, getting him to look after the animals, rather than dispose of their waste. And when the circus takes on a new star attraction – Rosie the middle-aged elephant – Jacob is asked to train her and work closely Marlena on her new act.  The more Jacob and Marlena cooperate, the closer they grow – which rubs the increasingly desperate August up the wrong way in a love triangle that can only lead to more drama outside the ring than in it.

"A rich, layered story filled with emotional undercurrents, Water for Elephants is both a love story and a character drama, and satisfying on all counts. The three leads deliver wonderful characterisations and the screenplay (well adapted from the novel) adds depth and resonance to the love triangle in a way that rejuvenates the old device.  Rodrigo Preto's camerawork is excellent throughout, tasteful and insightful but never too showy. Likewise, Francis Lawrence directs with a sure hand, always keen to bring the emotions of the story to the fore.  The conclusion is also effective, both dramatically and emotionally, completing the film with a well judged sense of satisfactory story telling."  Urban Cinefile

"A swoony, enjoyable, old-time romance whose best acts are a period-perfect Pattinson and a playful pachyderm."  Total Film

For more information, and to see a trailer and stills, visit the official site at www.waterforelephants.com

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