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From Amazon.co.uk
Sara Gruen's bestselling novel comes to glossy life in this period romance. A sparkle-free Robert Pattinson plays Jacob Jankowski, who studies veterinary medicine during the Great Depression. After a family tragedy, he loses everything, including the chance to graduate from prestigious Cornell, so he hops a train, where he finds himself part of the struggling Benzini Brothers Circus. Ringleader August (Christoph Waltz, echoing his Oscar®-winning Inglourious Basterds performance) has doubts about the softhearted lad, but a fellow Pole smoothes the way, and Jacob becomes the company vet, which leads him to platinum-blonde equestrian Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), August's wife. The two make eyes at each other, but an affair would surely end badly, so they concentrate on their work. When Marlena's prize steed falls ill, August purchases an elephant, hoping Rosie will turn their fortunes around, and enlists Jacob to train her. Unfortunately, she's slow to respond to commands until Jankowski unlocks her secret--and after August has beaten the poor thing into submission. After that, things start to look up until Jacob steals a kiss from his dream girl. As in The Notebook, the film it most closely resembles, an elderly version of the central character (Hal Holbrook, touching) narrates in the present day (screenwriter Richard LaGravenese also adapted The Bridges of Madison County). He tells an interesting tale, so it's too bad the leads strike so few sparks. For those who find big-top classics like Nightmare Alley too dark, however, Francis Lawrence's feel-better variant may be just the ticket. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Product Description
Actors: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, James Frain, Hal Holbrook
Director: Francis Lawrence
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Director: Francis Lawrence
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By G. Froud
Format:DVD
I watched this film last night in the cinema and I thought it was a beautiful story and a very visually impressive watch. As an animal lover, some of the scenes are hard to stomach, but that makes the film all the better. The trailers and advertisements make it seems to be all romance and longing looks between the two leading actors, but that element of the film is (plesently) surprising small. There's some great scenes of circus performances. There's great scenes involving the animals. There's also many interesting relationships apart from the romantic one e.g. between Jacob and August. There is obviously a degree of romance and it's obvious from Jacob first sees Marlene that there will be a romantic involvement between them, but the setting and circumstances make the story interesting and not just another run of the mill 'love affair against the odds' tale.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I read the book Water for Elephants about 4 years ago and loved it so when I found out about the film (which would be starring Robert Pattinson - double whammy!!) I couldn't wait to go and see it.
The film stays very faithful to the book, I was pleased to see. To summarise, this is an off-beat love story about a young man called Jacob who (having been suddenly orphaned at the age of 22 while at university and in the age of the depression in America) finds himself, quite unexpectidley, working for a circus where he earns a bed and food by working as the circus vet. Jacob finds himself falling in love with the enigmatic star of the show, Marlena, who happens to be married to the circus boss. Not able to do anything about it he must be content to admire her from afar.
When money becomes tight, Augustus (the boss) buys an elephant named Rosie whom he makes Jacob train, and here begins another love affair (between Jacob and Marlena and the elephant they begin to love).
The film is wonderfully atmospheric, and beautifully shot in places, with a very authentic 1930's feel. Pattinson and Wetherspoon both play their parts really well and Christoph Waltz (Augustus) is a wonderful baddie.
I really enjoyed this film but if you haven't read the book then do so - it's even better!
The film stays very faithful to the book, I was pleased to see. To summarise, this is an off-beat love story about a young man called Jacob who (having been suddenly orphaned at the age of 22 while at university and in the age of the depression in America) finds himself, quite unexpectidley, working for a circus where he earns a bed and food by working as the circus vet. Jacob finds himself falling in love with the enigmatic star of the show, Marlena, who happens to be married to the circus boss. Not able to do anything about it he must be content to admire her from afar.
When money becomes tight, Augustus (the boss) buys an elephant named Rosie whom he makes Jacob train, and here begins another love affair (between Jacob and Marlena and the elephant they begin to love).
The film is wonderfully atmospheric, and beautifully shot in places, with a very authentic 1930's feel. Pattinson and Wetherspoon both play their parts really well and Christoph Waltz (Augustus) is a wonderful baddie.
I really enjoyed this film but if you haven't read the book then do so - it's even better!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By London Girl
Format:DVD
I watched this film in the cinema, being both a Robert Pattinson and Reece Witherspoon fan, and it didn't disappoint. I wasn't sure what to expect at all, the storyline wasn't something that particularly interested me (unlike Mr P!), but I was absolutely blown away!
The cinematography was fantastic, the acting by everyone was believable and memorable. As an animal lover, some parts are particularly hard to watch (my friend actually cried in places), but necessary for the film to work.
The ending for me was what made me cry. A beautiful film that should prove to all Robert Pattinson doubters, that he is worthy of an oscar! The chemistry between Rob and Reece was believable, and if you could give an oscar to an elephant, that elephant deserved one!
The cinematography was fantastic, the acting by everyone was believable and memorable. As an animal lover, some parts are particularly hard to watch (my friend actually cried in places), but necessary for the film to work.
The ending for me was what made me cry. A beautiful film that should prove to all Robert Pattinson doubters, that he is worthy of an oscar! The chemistry between Rob and Reece was believable, and if you could give an oscar to an elephant, that elephant deserved one!
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A passable film
A film based on the book - which follows along the same vein but there are details that have been changed or missed out altogether for the screen to make it more visual for the... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Ms. C. Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
great film
this was in good condition, turned out to be a great film, thoroughly enjoyed by all, it was a good price
Published 10 days ago by lynsey marie goss
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good
I've avoided this film for some time, for various reasons. I don't particularly like either of the main actors and I especially don't like that the elephant was provided by a... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Elizabeth66
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
I bought this for my daughter for christmas, and she was delighted with it. She said it was a very beautiful film.
Published 27 days ago by Anne Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Look away if you can't bear to watch animal cruelty
This is a 'feel bad most of the way through' sort of film, nicely acted and poignant and probably typical of the attitude toward animals in circuses at the time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. G. Kingham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Loved this film watched it several times, Robert Pattinson is brilliant Can never get enough of Jacob he is just so yummy.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs Brenda Coxall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought as a present
My grand-daughter is very pleased having received and read this book. It makes purchasing her next birthday or christmas present very easy.
Published 1 month ago by Cal
3.0 out of 5 stars
Water for elephants
Not a great film but an okay watch on a cold winter's evening when there is nothing on the TV.
Published 1 month ago by Jean
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable film
I really enjoyed the book which I read some time ago and I also enjoyed the film. Worth a watch!
Published 1 month ago by Lora
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping movie with a difference
Brilliant movie it was very engaging from start to finish. RW acted the part brilliantly as did the rest of the cast.
Published 2 months ago by Sue Wood
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