Water For Elephants Review

            Friday, the film adaptation of the novel Water for Elephants hit theaters.  After reading the book a while ago, I have been eagerly awaiting to see how it would be portrayed onto the silver screen. The film stars Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, and Hal Holbrook. The movie begins with Jacob Jankowski as an old man reflecting on his voyage with a depression era traveling circus. He flashes back to his college self. While Jacob is taking his final veterinary exam at Cornell, he gets life altering news which causes him to carelessly jump onto a random passing train. Unknowing that jumping onto that train would change his life forever. He soon finds out that he has joined a traveling circus and quickly becomes one of the circus hands. He begins to fall for the circus’ star attraction Marlena who happens to be August, the ring leader’s wife. Tension starts to build as Marlena and Jacob start to fall in love and we learn that August is an angry lunatic.

            What really stood out to me in the film was the cinematography. They really personified the scenery and atmosphere of a depression era traveling circus and it was obvious that attention to detail was greatly considered. The book focused more on the growing plot rather than the details of the setting. Surprisingly the acting was a little flat. I was disappointed with Reese Witherspoon’s insipid performance as the caring Marlena as it was not noteworthy. I though Robert Pattinson played Jacob Jankowski awkwardly well. As far as the romance between them goes, I felt it was a bit rushed and unbelievable. It did not gradually grow into a love affair as it did in the novel. What really kept me watching was Christoph Waltz’s performance. He plays the schizophrenic “bad guy” exceptionally well. So well in fact, you feel obligated to root against him.

            Over all I thought the movie was a good adaptation of the book. It was not drawn out, but it stayed exciting throughout especially with the help of a few scenes that were added for dramatic affect. It did the book justice and was entertaining to watch.