Movie Critique: Water for Elephants

     Going into this movie, I wasn't expecting much. From the previews it looked like the typical "boy runs away with circus, steals the boss's wife while training an elephant" movie. But I was pleasantly surprised that there was much more depth and plot to the story than what meets the eye. 

     What was presented as a tawdry affair beneath the big top turned out to be a sincere love story. Jacob, a man who loses his future at the beginning of the show, jumps a random train in the night only to find himself in the company of circus folk. Taking him under their wing, the crew of Benzini Brothers Circus introduce Jacob to a world of freaks, star-attractions and performing animals. But the real beast of the "most spectacular show on earth" is the ring-leader, August. Cursed with a monstrously bad temper, August runs the circus with an iron fist, taking out his anger by abusing the animals and staff. His cruelty drives the headliner, who just happens to be his wife, Marlena, into the comforting company of Jacob, whose love for the defenseless animals kindles Marlena's attraction to him. The more August's tirade grows, the closer Marlena and Jacob come to find how much they love one another. Like a train that goes from town to town, Water for Elephants starts out slow, but gains momentum as the plot progresses and takes the audience through a journey that is as unsettling as it is sincere.

     Reese Witherspoon gave an honest and understated performance as Marlena. Christoph Waltz did his job well as his interpretation of August led the audience to truly despise him because of his treatment of the animals and his wife. Robert Pattinson as Jacob was sub-par (which seems to be normal for him). The true star of the movie was Rosie the elephant - a lush pachyderm with a big heart.

     Overall grade: B