Water for Elephants Review

I have just got home after watching Water for Elephants at the cinema, on the walk home I was already thinking about what I was going to write about. How could I miss writing a blog about this film when it made me cry, gasp, jump and shake. It certainly sparked a reaction. Not only that, it stars Robert Pattinson, say no more.

The film tells the story of a young man named Jacob, played by Robert Pattinson as his life takes a drastic turn in just a day. He goes from almost graduating as a vet and having everything to live for, to receiving news of a car accident that killed both of his parents. With no money and no where to live, he is unable to continue his studies and with that pulls himself aboard a train and there starts the rest of his life.

The train turns out to be a traveling circus, where his skills as a vet are eventually welcomed by the man who runs the show, August played by Christopher Waltz. Initially Jacob has landed on his feet, and when he meets the boss' wife Marlena played by Reese Witherspoon he cannot take is eyes of her true beauty as the star act of the show. It doesn't take a genius to notice the connection made between Jacob and Marlena, but the boy can look but he cannot touch. August is an extremely jelous and angry man, his temper is unravelled throughout the film showing just what he is capable of. 

 August purchases a beautiful Elephant called Rosie to become and new star act of the show, along side of Marlena. With his cruel treatment and training of the creature driving Jacob and Marlena closer together, August and Jacob's possible friendship is blown apart as is the nature of his circus and his marriage. Up until now August isn't portrayed purely as the bad guy but also as being kind and loving, this has to be done to show why Marlena never left him and his abusive way, there has to be some kind of realism.

The films shows the magic of a traveling circus, it's ups and it's downs, it's poor and it's rich and the difference in people. August wants the circus to be successful no matter who or what it hurts or kills, whereas Jacob can see the pain on peoples faces and it's that determination to help everyone and everything within the film that make you warm to Jacob and Marlena instantly. (Not just because it's Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson)

There is one scene, close to the end which sticks in my mind very vividly simply because of how it made me feel. I don't want to give too much away if you haven't yet seen the film but it's an extremely powerful, heart stopping scene which will either break or make the film and circus and there are times you really aren't sure what is going to happen and you are scared for the characters you have warmed to. It's a scene that certainly sparks a reaction.

If you haven't yet watched the film then it's must, I can't stop thinking about it since I left the cinema. The magic, the power, the love and the determination - it's a world that unless you experience it you can't begin to recognise.