Review of Water for Elephants (2011) by Ryan W — 03 Jan 2012

I'll readily admit, I don't recall putting this film on my Netflix Queue and I wasn't all that excited to see it. I was unfamiliar with the story, but aware that it was based on a bestselling book. I decided to go ahead and move forward with it and watch it anyway. As suspected, about 30 minutes in, I was ready to turn this film off. The performances from Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson seemed stiff, wooden -- forced. Not to mention, the "romance" scenes at the beginning seemed a bit too melodramatic for my taste. Then it happened -- I was sucked in and I couldn't look away from the beautiful cinematography and the relationship these two characters had with the circus animals.

I was more interested in Jacob's back story (Pattinson) then that of Marlena (Witherspoon). Suddenly, I was overtaken by the Hollywood Magic and the story that was about to be told.

Water for Elephants is an outstanding picture that despite its clunky beginning, soon settles into a compelling film about the treatment of circus animals and the forbidden love affair between Jacob and Marlena. I enjoyed this film much more than I ever thought I would. The characters here aren't just a bunch of Hollywood pretty faces, but the Circus animals, particularly the key Elephant of the story is simply majestic and grand in scope.

If you're a fan of the book, check it out. If you haven't read the book, take a risk and check out this film. Let Water for Elephants wash over you like a stream of water, and you'll be transported to another time and place. Not without its flaws -- most notably the first quarter of the film, but once it takes off, you'll be following this circus for the remaining 90 minutes and be drawn in like a moth to a flame.