Film Review: Water for Elephants

I discovered this movie through the usual channel, the website Imdb.com.

And today I saw it at the cinemas. I was already aware of the basic plot line, that a young guy, living in America at the time of the depression, about to take his final exam that would qualify him as a vet, is told that his parents have died and he runs for the city, but joins the circus instead.

This film is another that was based on a book, the novel written by Sara Gruen. I have not yet read the book, but I probably will, thanks to my enjoyment of this film.

I know full well, that there are many others, who think Robert Pattinson's acting ability is either non existent, or barely developed. This is not true. Keanu Reeves, whose lack of facial expressions and non existent ability to change the tone of his voice, is, despite all this, is a successful actor, and has been in many popular films, regardless.

They (though I am not sure exactly who) say the eyes are the window to the soul. I am not really a big fan of that saying, as it has been usually quoted by those who thrive off b.s. But Robert Pattinson's performance in this film, illustrates what the saying means. Mr Pattinson plays an awkward character in the beginning of the film, shaken by loss and circumstance and that awkwardness is only shaken off, for maybe a couple of moments, when his ability and knowledge that his cut off education has provided him with. His eyes show all emotion that cannot be said with the lines, and if I have one negative thing to say about this movie, is that they are not shown enough. He has actually acted with Reese Witherspoon before, but officially, as his scene at the end of the film Vanity Fair was cut. Interestingly enough, he played Reese Witherspoon's son in that film.

In this film, their many scenes are perfectly choreographed by the screenwriter and director, Richard LaGravenese and Francis Lawrence. Mr LaGravenese wrote the screenplays for The Horse Whisperer and Freedom Writers, both films that are based on books, and I am proud to say, he has done sterling work here.

Reese Witherspoon performs well in this film, I saw her in the film The Man in the Moon a little while ago, and its obvious how well she's developed her acting ability since then.

Christoph Waltz, this actor has been recently brought to mainstream attention by his Academy Award winning portrayal in the Quentin Tarantino film, Inglourious Basterds and although I have not seen that film, in this one I saw today, I could tell that guy has talent and you could see his role more than the actor being photographed with the gold statuette. A rare occurrence but it does happen sometimes.

As far as supporting actors are concerned, they certainly chose well, Jim Norton as Camel, I saw him last in the Australian film Oyster Farmer, he was had as just as much presence in this film as he did in the other. Paul  Schneider as the circus owner in modern times, I remember last as Mr Brown in Bright Star and I almost didn't recognise him here as his character was so different. It was impressive. James Frain has a tiny smidgen of a role, but he is still entertaining. I remember him from playing the Spanish Ambassador in the film Elizabeth and as Franklin Mott in the t.v. series True Blood. And also as Thomas Cromwell in the t.v. series The Tudors. He is very flexible with his roles and trust that he could portray accurately any person that was offered. And of course Hal Holbrook as the older Jacob.

This film is more intense than you might expect, as circus films are few and far between. The last film I saw that was based in a circus, was the Disney film, Dumbo, which interestingly enough, was also centred around an elephant. The easiest comparison would be to the film Chicago, as that one also artfully illustrated the difference between harsh reality and glittering fantasy in the depression era.

This is of course, not a Disney film, far from it, and it delivers a startling shock to the system which leaves you thinking about it all, long after the curtain falls.

Comments

  1. Yes, another quote from a movie or a tv show show you can try and guess where it comes from.

    “Well, Jim, this should be a wonderful opportunity for the two of us to get to know one another. You know what they say. "Familiarity breeds...” um... well, "contempt". But, in our case... ”

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another quote from a movie for you all to guess where it comes from. Kind of easy this one.
    “Will Turner: This is either madness... or brilliance.
    Jack Sparrow: It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide.”

    ReplyDelete

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