Water for Elephants (Rental Vending / Subscriptions)

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.

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!

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!