Saturday, December 31, 2011

Water For Elephants

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!
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This is based off the historical novel written by Sara Gruen. An old man visits a recent circus that is closed for the night, and instead of being sent to a nursing home he tells his life story to the circus' owner. A Polish American, named Jacob Jankowski, is about to finish his Cornell University exam to become a veterinarian, but is interrupted with the tragic news of his parents death. This leaves Jacob with nothing to his name except for some cloths that he takes to travel with. He follows the railroad, and finds himself hoping a train to rest his feet. He wakes up to surprise of it being a traveling circus called the Benzini Brothers: Most Spectacular Show on Earth. He agrees to work for August Rosenbluth as the circus' personal veterinarian after some convincing. He meets the boss' wife, Marlena Rosenbluth, and falls in love. Their connection to animals makes their connection stronger. However, August Rosenbluth and his goonies remain dangerously in the way. 

Francis Lawrence directed this film, who has taken a new turn in his directional pursuits. While watching this film I was reminded of the film Moulin Rouge directed by Baz Luhrmann. It is a good film with a unique story.  Using a traveling circus as the medium for the backdrop of the story was a great idea. It added to the stories idea of illusion and elegance. I also enjoyed the hidden use od historical events, such as the depression or the prohibition, during the coarse of the story, and how it pushed characters to react in certain ways. I also enjoyed the variety of animals used in this film. It presents viewers with the old dilemma's that animals faced in circus'. This might upset some animal activists. There is a type of hidden realism to this story that is uncommon in most romantic stories. 

The acting is good individually, but there is a lack of chemistry. I will admit, I never saw Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon as on on screen couple. They have a ten year difference between them, but it does fit with the story. Robert Pattinson played the role of Jacob Jankowski. He applies the same amount of passion as he did to his role in Twilight, Edward. He gives his character heart, and sympathetic. Reese Witherspoon is good in her role, Marlena Rosenbluth, as an individual. However, she doesn't appear to love Jacob in anyway. She spends so much of her time being snide to him, and not enough deep love sequences. Christoph Waltz played the role of August Rosenbluth. He is great in this role. He plays a man distraught by love and finical ruin.

I give this film a 4 out of 5 stars! It's a great story, but the connection between the actors isn't as strong as it could've been. It is a great romantic story with unique ideas tied in with historical events. It's a good film to enjoy with friends. 

Answer to last blog: Directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders also both directed the film Lilo and Stitch (and the film How To Train Your Dragon). 

Que: What other film did actors Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson both star in?

Little Ashes
How Do You Know
Vanity Fair
P.S. I Love You

P.S. Happy New Years! Happy 2012!

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