"Water For Elephants" Review by The Oklahoma Daily

Robert Pattinson impresses in 'Water for Elephants'

The passionate words of author Sara Gruen are beautifully envisioned by director Francis Lawrence’s (“I Am Legend,” 2007) adaptation of her best-selling novel “Water for Elephants.” The film paints a canvas of a depression-era landscape, a lavish circus production and an unrequited romance.

With a gifted cast, stunning visuals, a moving story, and, yes, a lovable elephant, Lawrence and screenwriter Richard LaGravenese (“The Bridges of Madison County,” 1995) have crafted the year’s first great film.

“Twilight” superstar Robert Pattinson breathes life into the character of Jacob Jankowski whose extraordinary life is told as a flashback by the great Hal Holbrook.

Jacob is a charming, bright young student studying veterinary medicine at Cornell University. Before he’s able to secure his license, tragedy ensues with the death of his two Polish-immigrant parents.

He is left orphaned and homeless, carrying his possessions in a briefcase and traveling down an isolated railroad track. He hops on the first train that approaches and, conveniently enough, finds it is a majestic circus train with a myriad of colorful and eccentric characters.

However, Jacob’s concentration is on the show’s star attraction — Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). This poses a dilemma for Marlena’s husband, the sadistic ringmaster August (Chistoph Waltz) who attempts to throw Jacob off the train until he learns of his skills with animals.

These skills come in handy when he and Marlena are assigned to train the show’s newest member, a four-ton, middle-aged elephant named Rosie. As the two tackle this task, they form a romantic bond. Now, cast into the effervescent world of entertainment, Jacob has the life he’s always dreamed of.

The only thing missing is a ravishing partner to share it with, an aspiration the menacing August will stop at nothing to dismantle.

The movie is a work of passion full of energy and emotion. Gruen’s tale of a once-crumbling economic world splashed with vibrant colors and the prospect of hope makes for a tasty treat.

However, the film is not merely eye candy. Waltz is as bloody brilliant as August, charming and pleasant on the outside but cruel and rotten at his core.

Twi-hard fans will adore their beloved Pattinson proving he has more range and depth than his beastly alter-ego permits him to explore. He and Witherspoon make an electric romantic duo.

Though in all fairness, the true scene-stealer of the film is the enormously talented Rosie. The four-ton beauty has more brains and personality than her co-stars combined.

This sweeping romantic spectacle has something special to offer everyone.

— Laron Chapman, film and video studies senior

Source => The Oklahoma Daily / Via => Thinking of Rob