It’s America during the Great Depression, and Jacob (Robert Pattinson), a young and handsome Cornell veterinary student, suddenly finds himself an orphan, out of school, and homeless. And one fairy tale-like evening, he hops on a train and joins the spectacular Benzini Brothers traveling circus, where his life is about to change.
Based on Sarah Gruen’s bestselling novel, Water for Elephants is a dramatic love story reminiscent of Titanic—it’s the present day and an old Jacob recalls the “famous circus disaster of all time,” and he was there, “right in the middle of it.” And then we are sent back in time, in 1931, in the enchanting world of the “most spectacular show on earth,” to find a young educated Jacob as a circus runaway locked in a love triangle between the circus’s beautiful blonde star attraction, Marlena (Academy-award winner Reese Witherspoon), and her husband, August (Academy-Award winner Christoph Waltz), the sadistic circus impresario.
The elegant cinematography indeed catches the eye. The film is visually pleasing, beautifully rendered in harmonious hues, the play of light and shadow and colors aesthetically correct; the brilliant skies, billowing circus tents, the dank circus train of roustabouts, the breathtaking costumes, and the animals almost mystical in appearance. Also, the slow, languid movements of the circus characters—as opposed to the common noisy, energetic and chaotic portrayal of circuses—serve as a refreshing change and project an almost dream-like feeling.
While both Titanic and Water for Elephants tell a cliché love story—and both a period drama—Water for Elephants, unlike Titanic, failed to deliver that lingering emotional impact and ignite even the smallest romantic spark—with Pattinson and Witherspoon lacking chemistry (the blossoming romance and the building tension missing). Pattinson, who only showed credible acting in 2010’s Remember Me, fizzled again in this movie, confirming that his acting skills solely rely on the director. But he was acceptable enough in this movie since the characters—and even the story—lacked serious depth anyway.
Water for Elephants, directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), is a one-dimensional story that is forgettable—lacking that punch; the romance, humor, magic, and adventure only seemed to stay onscreen and failed to make its way to the heart. Except for Christoph Waltz. Aside from the secondary star of the movie—the exceptionally talented circus elephant Rosie, who evoked “ooohs” and “ahhs” from the moviegoers whenever she performed her adorable tricks—Christoph Waltz was the attention grabber, the star attraction in the show, frighteningly effective as the cruel antagonist, his multi-layered character almost as frightening as his Jew Hunter role in Inglorious Basterds. This is an actor who can independently bring life even to the most mediocre screenplay.
Alas, the love story of Jacob and Marlena, the most essential part of the movie, failed to rise to the surface and was not passionate enough. And even their infidelity did not earn my sympathy despite August’s murderous nature. Water for Elephants is rather run-of-the-mill, and you will leave the cinemas feeling nothing. Unless, of course, you are a Twilight fan.
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