“Water for Elephants” is an adventurous and fascinating film that follows twenty one year old Jacob, a recently orphaned veterinarian student who leaves behind his shattered life and has a meeting with fate as the Benzini Brothers’ Circus train passes him. Jacob, played by Robert Pattinson, decides to take a chance and jump on the train, not yet aware it will alter the rest of his life. The film does not entirely connect on the romantic anglel as Pattinson is at times unemotional. However, the scenery and drama in the film are its redeeming qualities.
As the circus train makes its rickety first stop, Jacob pushes open the sliding door on the car, and looks out to see a large open field filled with the crowd of families and young children that came to see the fascinating Benzini Brothers Circus. This part of the film engrosses the viewer’s attention and engages them in the beauty of the circus. The scenery in the film is breathtaking and the setting is perhaps the best element of the film. From the accurate and believable costumes to the rustic circus train car, the film encompasses the audience in the depression-era. Even the simplest activity of putting up the crisp, white circus tent filled viewers with awe.
Jacob starts out his modest work by cleaning up after the animals in the train cars and the tents. He slowly climbs the ladder to become the circus veterinarian and then trains the circus elephant by becoming closer with and gaining the respect of the man in charge, August (played by Christoph Waltz). Jacob’s love and compassion for the animals is humbling and admirable. He desperately tries to protect the elephant, Rosie, from the physical abuse August resorts to when he is frustrated, which is difficult to watch. His heroic behavior in trying to defend Rosie has viewers rooting for him to ultimately defeat August.
The film brings an emotional struggle as it follows Jacob and August’s wife, Marlena’s, relationship. Marlena, played by Reese Witherspoon, sees how gentle and loving Jacob is with the animals, opposite from August’s harsh and abusive behavior. The two fall in love but are held back by the threat that August could become angry and retaliate. It is heartbreaking to watch the disappointing struggle that is driven by fear. Their relationship tugs at the heart of the audience, and throughout the film the chance of the two running away together has the audience on the edge of their seats. Although at times Pattinson can be unemotional and lessens the convincing of the romantic feel, the course of the relationship of Jacob and Marlena is beautiful to watch.
Pattinson’s acting is best in the scenes with him and Rosie, where we can see his love for the animals. However, his scenes that are supposed to show romance do not convince the viewer. Christoph Waltz’s outstanding acting pulls the slack of Pattinson’s sometimes unemotional and not-there performance. Reese Witherspoon carries out her role well: the alluring free spirit tied down by her abusive husband that has a chance to escape with the perfect Jacob.
From the thrilling animal tricks that include lions and Rosie to the dark physical abuse by August, the film offers emotional reactions that range from awe to repulsion. “Water for Elephants” creates a plausible set that inspires the wonder of the depression-era circus. The romantic depression-era film fills audiences with wonder at the spectacular settings, yet lacks the romantic chemistry one may have expected from such well-respected actors.
