"Water For Elephants" Review by The Reel Reviewer
As this story flashed back from a modern day circus to one of the 1930s, life on a circus train is exciting and unusual, dangerous and intense. Water for Elephants took the audience on board the circus train and the ride it took across a country that was tumultuous as it was trying to rebound from the Great Depression. In this adaptation of a well-loved book, a young veterinary student, played by Robert Pattinson, finds his life uprooted and literally jumps on the first train he can get his hands on. And the people and animals he meets turn his life completely upside down, particularly a beautiful woman played by the elegant and passionate Reese Witherspoon. However, his innocence and continuous need to try to help creates more problems then he corrects. But through his own meddling, he finds more out of life and forces others to discover the same while standing up for what is right.
The film is a well-orchestrated production as it transported me back to this time and place. It is a true depiction of the times. The plot recreated a time that money was tight and entertainment was nothing like today's modern culture. I think the similarities between today's economic state and this post-depression piece is obvious for audiences. Families went to the circus together and appreciated the simplicity of the show. And those days it was considered a treat as there was not a TV or computer in every household, shows were where people escaped their lives. It was far more common for people to abandon their lives and jump on trains. There is a charm to the circus where families went for a laugh and to be deceived by the fantasy. It was a place to escape the financial woes. The whimsy of the circus has been lost in today's society, but the idea of the illusion is still something many people search for.
And then there is a clear division of power and authority. Power which is demanded and bullied, authority which is earned, are clearly on opposing sides in this circus world. And power in this film is taken with violence, particularly by the villainous Christoph Waltz who is extremely well cast. But to achieve the sense of desire power, violence is necessary. And there is a demand for that power, both from humans and animals. But it is clear that power is created out of fear, all creatures respond positively to authority. For authority is warranted by strong leadership, and those who respond to authority do so out of respect and not a fear for their livelihood.
I found the most profound message of this film to be the concept that life is all an illusion. The circus itself is full of acts that are not at all what they seem. Is the fat lady, really a fat lady? And all the animals, are they really as obedient as they appear or are they vicious, pulled straight from the wild? But the parallel between the production of the circus and life is obvious in this film. Sometimes life is all a charade. Relationships are not what they seem from the outside and lies are used all the time to get ahead. But the movie offers the question of whether the illusion is better then reality. But eventually the illusion fades and all that is left is reality, and life is the series of truths which have prevailed through the deceit.
The Reel Reviewer reely enjoyed this film for its talented cast and heartfelt messages on life and respect.
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