"It’s an interesting movie, telling a quite standard love story, but setting it within fascinating surroundings"
If, like me, you’re put-off somewhat by the idea of a romantic drama starring Robert Pattinson and Reece Witherspoon, hold fire: this one’s set in a circus.
Based on the novel of the same name by Sara Gruen, Water For Elephants tells the story of Jacob (Pattinson), a veterinary student whose parents tragically die in a car accident. Jacob runs away and out of pure luck, if you can call it that, he finds himself on a train with a travelling circus that goes by the name ‘Benzini Brothers’. It is here that he meets Marlena (Witherspoon), whom, unfortunately for Jacob, is the circus owner August’s (Christoph Waltz) wife.
Jacob, quite evidently, fancies Marlena, and as he works with the stunning circus performer, alongside the latest attraction ‘Rosie’ the Elephant, he has a battle on his hands trying to be with the girl he loves, whilst attempting to keep his new boss, and Rosie, content in the meantime.
Despite being your typical romantic drama, Water For Elephants has much more to it than most. I think much of that is down to the setting in which the feature is placed. Most current romantic dramas take place in present-day America, and tend to feature tedious, middle-class professionals vying to be with one another. However, Water for Elephants is set in the 1930’s, amidst the Great Depression that swept across the United States of America. And it’s in a circus, of course.
As a result of its setting, the feature is visually spectacular. With the same set-designers that brought us the Curious Case of Benjamin Button; it’s a film that looks the part. With a stylish, Bugsy Malone fashion and an array of bright colours depicting the circus and the animals and various other freakish performers, the film is as much about the mise-en-scene as it is about the romance between Jacob and Marlena.
It’s not just the visual aspects to the film that make it worth seeing, as the performances by the leading roles are impressive. Pattinson, dangerously close to being type-cast as Edward Cullen of the Twilight series, was exciting – and it was a much needed role for him to take on. He needs to distance himself from Twilight and become a serious actor, and he already set-off to achieve this, and done so brilliantly with this feature.
He manages to play the part of Jacob confidently, whilst always seeming on edge and as though he doesn’t really feel that he belongs with the circus. There’s vulnerability behind the buoyancy – which is difficult for an actor to get right.
As for the supporting male lead, Christoph Waltz, who came to fame as the sinister Hans Landa in ‘Inglorious Basterds’, has once again proved himself to be a hidden gem in Hollywood. In just his third English-speaking feature, Waltz, 55, has an incredible ability to play the part of a character that at one moment can seem like the most honourable and dependable man around, before then just turning on you, becoming both menacing and disturbing. The character of August is just this, as, although seeming like Jacob’s friend and mentor, he leaves you always on edge, wary of when he may snap and find out about Jacob’s crush on his wife. Whether the character was supposed to be like this, or if it’s just what Waltz bought to the role, is hard to tell.
It’s an interesting movie, telling a quite standard love story, but setting it within fascinating surroundings, and complemented by a strong cast of characters, it’s definitely worth going to see.
Essentially, it’s a film that just appeals to everyone. It’s got Robert Pattinson for the ladies, Reese Witherspoon for the guys, and Tai the Elephant, for those who just aren’t sure yet.
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