Water for Elephants is a romantic drama movie based on Sara Gruen’s historic novel. The film is directed by Francis Lawrence and it was released on April 21, 2011. It stars well known actors like Reese Witherspoon and Twilight saga star Robert Pattinson.
PLOT
The movie starts with old retired Jacob Jankowski who wants to see circus performance. Staff tells him that the show is over and offers to call retirement home to pick him up. Suddenly Jacob shares his own story about Benzini Brothers Circus.
The flashback takes us all the way to Jakob’s college time. First his parents die in a car accident and Jacob leaves home and all behind – he jumps on Benzini Brothers Circus train. Right then and there the real adventure begins.
The beginning in circus is not easy, Jacob tells he have studied veterinary science and he become circus’ vet. First thing he kills circus’ star attraction Silver(horse), because the horse is in huge pain. The owner August is not too happy about it and makes it clear to Jacob that his words are the law. For Silver’s replacement August buys an elephant, Rosie and names Jacob to train the elephant.
Marlena, August’s wife, performed with Silver, so now she had to also learn to perform with Rosie. This only brings Jacob and Marlena closer to each other. August gets frustrated with Rosie and beats her. After that Jacob notices that Rosie can understand only Polish. With that remark he becomes a hero.
Circus succeeds and August is happy. Suddenly he notices that his wife and young polish boy have fell in love. He gets angry and hits Marlena and then Jacob. Jacob and Marlena try to run away but they fail and August’s men find them. Jacob doesn’t give up – he returns to circus. That day, Benzini Brothers Circus’ last day, is full of action.
Rosie, the clever elephant kills awful August and the hole circus dies. Jacob and Marlena live happily ever after with Rosie.
The story ends and old Jacob asks for job in a circus.
CHARACTERS
Robert Pattinson as Jacob Jankowski – Sweet Polish boy who falls in love with Marlena – owner’s wife.
Reese Witherspoon as Marlene Rosenbluth – Beautiful performer, owner’s wife who falls in love with Jacob.
Christoph Waltz as August Rosenbluth – Circus’ owner, ruthless man who kills people and animals to keep the circus going.
There was plenty other people – circus’ staff, who became important to Jacob but they didn’t affect significantly on the plot.
CAMERAWORK
The filming is by Rogrigo Prieto. I liked the way the movie was shooted and I think it’s excellent. It brought the needed feeling to otherside of the screen. Editing is by Alan Edward Bell. I think that also Bell done it well, none of the deleted scenes wouldn’t made the movie any better.
SOUNDTRACK
Film’s music is by James Newton Howard. As I said before the feeling came across the movie in filming but also in music. All of the film’s music was composed strictly for the film.