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Plot – When his parents are killed, veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) abandons his studies and joins a travelling circus as a vet. While there he meets and begins to fall in love with Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), the circus' star performer. Unfortunately she is married to the circus' ruthless and sadistic owner, August Rosenbluth (Christopher Waltz).
This is a really quaint, old fashioned kind of film. It's a film that tries and often succeeds to capture the wonder, joy and excitement of the circus of that era; back when it was seen as romantic and adventurous. And with some impressive production values it does feel like a product of a Hollywood of long ago. It has quite a strongly reminiscent Titanic vibe to it. We are informed right from the off that a big disaster is going to befall the circus, and we are lead there by the recollections of an elderly character who was there at the time and survived to tell his tale. This time the narrator comes in the form of the always charming Hal Holbrook as the now elderly Jacob.
Much of the film is undoubtedly predictable. We pretty much know exactly were the story is going all the way through; the only element that creates doubt is Christopher Waltz's unpredictable August Rosenbluth. The romantic triangle storyline is fairly standard and formulaic stuff, although its setting of a Depression-era travelling circus does at least feel somewhat fresh. However while it's predictability and familiarity may normally be a problem, somehow I felt it added to my enjoyment. It just makes it feel comfortable, sweet and reassuring somehow.
I've never seen a Robert Pattinson performance but have to admit I came in with a bit of prejudice towards him, just because he was 'that guy from Twilight.' Now while I may not have been blown away by his showing, he did win me round with a fairly nice solid performance. Revisiting the Titanic comparison however, I didn't really see enough that made me feel he could match the film's heartthrob, DiCaprio, in terms of acting ability as he grows older. Reese is perky, likeable and looks beautiful in her series of costumes but like Pattinson is sabotaged by a rather bland, one-note character.. So with both stars giving amiable performances it's just a shame then that together they don't really have any chemistry. Indeed I'd say that they both share better chemistry with Waltz. Speaking of which, Christopher Waltz is the character who most grabs your attention, even if it is in a horribly fascinating manner. Against the fairly bland Marlena and Jacob it's his character that is most complicated and interesting, and his performance makes him suitably dastardly. He is a despicable man who abuses human and animal alike. What makes him such a frightening and ruthless presence is his unpredictable nature. One moment he is charming and jovial, and then sadistic and maniacal the next.
Despite Waltz's magnetic showing he may not actually be the star of this show. That honour arguably going to the loveable pachyderm, Rosie the elephant. Now perhaps it's just my imagination anthropomorphising her but she seems to convey so much emotion through her face and voice. As a result of how loveable she is the mistreatment that she suffers, while predictable, is still very unpsetting.
Now I haven't read the book so don't know if it's been lifted straight from there or not but unfortunately there is some cringingly cheesy and pretentious dialogue present. Some of my favourites? “I don't know if I picked that circus, or if it picked me.” and “You're a beautiful woman, you deserve a beautiful life.” There is also a spectacularly silly and laughable moment were Marlena tells Jacob to “Bring Rosie to my tent and don't tell anyone.” As if he will be able to lead a massive big elephant through a circus without anyone noticing the bloody thing!
Sadly the disastrous finale that the film has been building to from the opening moments proves to be underwhelming. It starts, and then it's done. Just like that. It really is over way to fast and just doesn't satisfy. Another let down is the use of the films many colourful characters. Sadly they feel wasted. And while the romance between Marlena and Jacob isn't catching on fire, you get the feeling that around the next corner or in the next carriage a much more interesting story is going on.
The main plus point of the film is most definitely the craftsmanship involved with the technical elements. Some of it is just exquisite. Jack Fisk's production design is just fantastic to behold, though coming from the man behind There Will Be Blood that shouldn't really come as much of a surprise. Jacqueline West's costumes lend the film a real air of grace and life. Witherspoon looks stunning in an array of wonderful costumes, while the outfits that the lower class members of the circus wear look suitably grubby. There is also some stunning, glossy cinematography on show. Indeed had the film as a whole been better an Oscar nom or two may have found its way to the film. And the fact that this world is created with real locations and sets, with little computer trickery, is a really nice touch. And one again adds to its old fashioned vibe. The circus and train are given a real character and personality of their own. The train in particular really is like its own little world. A world with its own rules, its own language and a strict social pecking order.
Conclusion – While not a ground-breaking or earth-shattering film, this is very pleasant and likeable stuff – eminently watchable. It feels like it could become a permanent TV fixture on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
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Year of release
2011
2011
Directed by
Francis Lawrence
Francis Lawrence
Written by
Sara Gruen (novel)
Richard LaGravenese (script)
Sara Gruen (novel)
Richard LaGravenese (script)
Starring
Robert Pattinson
Reese Witherspoon
Christopher Waltz
Robert Pattinson
Reese Witherspoon
Christopher Waltz
Water for Elephants
++
(6.6/10)
(6.6/10)
Plot – When his parents are killed, veterinary student Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) abandons his studies and joins a travelling circus as a vet. While there he meets and begins to fall in love with Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), the circus' star performer. Unfortunately she is married to the circus' ruthless and sadistic owner, August Rosenbluth (Christopher Waltz).
This is a really quaint, old fashioned kind of film. It's a film that tries and often succeeds to capture the wonder, joy and excitement of the circus of that era; back when it was seen as romantic and adventurous. And with some impressive production values it does feel like a product of a Hollywood of long ago. It has quite a strongly reminiscent Titanic vibe to it. We are informed right from the off that a big disaster is going to befall the circus, and we are lead there by the recollections of an elderly character who was there at the time and survived to tell his tale. This time the narrator comes in the form of the always charming Hal Holbrook as the now elderly Jacob.
Much of the film is undoubtedly predictable. We pretty much know exactly were the story is going all the way through; the only element that creates doubt is Christopher Waltz's unpredictable August Rosenbluth. The romantic triangle storyline is fairly standard and formulaic stuff, although its setting of a Depression-era travelling circus does at least feel somewhat fresh. However while it's predictability and familiarity may normally be a problem, somehow I felt it added to my enjoyment. It just makes it feel comfortable, sweet and reassuring somehow.
I've never seen a Robert Pattinson performance but have to admit I came in with a bit of prejudice towards him, just because he was 'that guy from Twilight.' Now while I may not have been blown away by his showing, he did win me round with a fairly nice solid performance. Revisiting the Titanic comparison however, I didn't really see enough that made me feel he could match the film's heartthrob, DiCaprio, in terms of acting ability as he grows older. Reese is perky, likeable and looks beautiful in her series of costumes but like Pattinson is sabotaged by a rather bland, one-note character.. So with both stars giving amiable performances it's just a shame then that together they don't really have any chemistry. Indeed I'd say that they both share better chemistry with Waltz. Speaking of which, Christopher Waltz is the character who most grabs your attention, even if it is in a horribly fascinating manner. Against the fairly bland Marlena and Jacob it's his character that is most complicated and interesting, and his performance makes him suitably dastardly. He is a despicable man who abuses human and animal alike. What makes him such a frightening and ruthless presence is his unpredictable nature. One moment he is charming and jovial, and then sadistic and maniacal the next.
Despite Waltz's magnetic showing he may not actually be the star of this show. That honour arguably going to the loveable pachyderm, Rosie the elephant. Now perhaps it's just my imagination anthropomorphising her but she seems to convey so much emotion through her face and voice. As a result of how loveable she is the mistreatment that she suffers, while predictable, is still very unpsetting.
Now I haven't read the book so don't know if it's been lifted straight from there or not but unfortunately there is some cringingly cheesy and pretentious dialogue present. Some of my favourites? “I don't know if I picked that circus, or if it picked me.” and “You're a beautiful woman, you deserve a beautiful life.” There is also a spectacularly silly and laughable moment were Marlena tells Jacob to “Bring Rosie to my tent and don't tell anyone.” As if he will be able to lead a massive big elephant through a circus without anyone noticing the bloody thing!
Sadly the disastrous finale that the film has been building to from the opening moments proves to be underwhelming. It starts, and then it's done. Just like that. It really is over way to fast and just doesn't satisfy. Another let down is the use of the films many colourful characters. Sadly they feel wasted. And while the romance between Marlena and Jacob isn't catching on fire, you get the feeling that around the next corner or in the next carriage a much more interesting story is going on.
The main plus point of the film is most definitely the craftsmanship involved with the technical elements. Some of it is just exquisite. Jack Fisk's production design is just fantastic to behold, though coming from the man behind There Will Be Blood that shouldn't really come as much of a surprise. Jacqueline West's costumes lend the film a real air of grace and life. Witherspoon looks stunning in an array of wonderful costumes, while the outfits that the lower class members of the circus wear look suitably grubby. There is also some stunning, glossy cinematography on show. Indeed had the film as a whole been better an Oscar nom or two may have found its way to the film. And the fact that this world is created with real locations and sets, with little computer trickery, is a really nice touch. And one again adds to its old fashioned vibe. The circus and train are given a real character and personality of their own. The train in particular really is like its own little world. A world with its own rules, its own language and a strict social pecking order.
Conclusion – While not a ground-breaking or earth-shattering film, this is very pleasant and likeable stuff – eminently watchable. It feels like it could become a permanent TV fixture on a lazy Sunday afternoon.