There’s nothing like the nostalgia and grittiness of an old-time circus — a big top roaring with lions and laughter, a shady mix of hired hands, and a lonely life on the rails. “Water for Elephants” captures this bygone era of early 20th century circus life. Despite its far-fetched love story, it is a great movie.
Robert Pattinson stars as Jacob Jankowski, the son of two hard-working Polish immigrants who die suddenly in a car accident, leaving him penniless and unable to finish his respectable Cornell education.
With nowhere else to turn, Jacob hops aboard a moving train that just happens to carry the entire Benzini Brothers Circus. Pattinson does a fantastic job portraying Jacob’s struggle from a hardworking college student to hard- laboring circus hand as he slowly begins to fit in with the show’s misfits.
Yet, disappointingly, a group of tweenage girls screamed in the theater when their “Twilight” heartthrob hit the screen in the first five minutes — a reminder of Pattinson’s not-so-stellar collection of past work.
Reese Witherspoon stars alongside Pattinson as Marlena, the circus’s star performer and the wife of August (Christopher Waltz), the rage-filled circus trainer. Witherspoon, who, like Pattinson, has also starred in duds such as “Legally Blonde,” surprises with her believable passion on-screen and compassion for animals.
Marlena and Jacob’s relationship comes to life when Jacob rises to the ranks of circus veterinarian and helps Marlena with the show’s newest member, Rosie the elephant.
However, Pattinson and Witherspoon seem utterly awkward when they’re together on-screen. She’s a married woman and he’s a college student, making Witherspoon end up playing a cougar-like role. The age difference is hard to overlook, and it’s only compounded by Pattinson and Witherspoon’s lukewarm on-screen chemistry.
Even amid this struggle for love, August’s fits of rage prove to be the most heart-wrenching parts of the movie, as he swings from a content husband to a struggling, angry businessman.
For instance, when August finds that Rosie isn’t the obedient elephant he expected, he clubs her repeatedly with a sharp prod. The blood-filled scene is unforgettable, as Jacob and Marlena watch in horror at the unfolding atrocity. Throughout the scene, the theater was filled with gasps from cringing theatergoers, as August bloodies the gentle elephant. While powerful, the scene shows too much gore when less disturbing images could be equally emotionally effective.
Beyond this torturous episode, “Water for Elephants” blends seamlessly into one cohesive story of overcoming adversity. This story of struggles surprises with an absorbing storyline despite far-fetched plot elements and a less-than-impressive cast. These elements make “Water for Elephants” a one-view wonder, a great movie that should only be watched once.
Joey Hoff is the Editor in Chief for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.