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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
DVD Description
Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson give mesmerising performances in this visually stunning and epic romantic drama, which tells the powerfully emotional story of two people who pursue their love against all odds, rules and conventions, set in the alluring and enigmatic world of a travelling circus.
"A slice of pure Hollywood escapism"--The Sun
"Glorious piece of romantic drama"--Sunday Mirror
"A sensational romance"--Star
"A slice of pure Hollywood escapism"--The Sun
"Glorious piece of romantic drama"--Sunday Mirror
"A sensational romance"--Star
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 82 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Remember when movies were glamorous (and not in 3-D)... when the stars were beautiful, and no one had to fornicate on screen for you to know they were walking on clouds or heart-achingly in love? Remember when quiet, wordless scenes could make tears well up in your eyes? Well, whoever may say "They don't make em like they used to" hasn't seen "The Painted Veil" or this beautiful film, "Water for Elephants". This is old-style adventure and romance --Hollywood film-making at its finest!
I didn't read the novel, but I am an avid fan of classic films, and an animal lover, and I highly recommend "Water for Elephants" for most anyone (who is at least in their teens.) The only critique I have of this movie is that it was too short! It was so beautiful and it carried me away so completely, I think I could have enjoyed it for another hour.
"Water for Elephants" sweeps you into circus life of the 1930's, during the hungry and desperate times of the Great Depression. It's a nomadic, hard-working, and very sparse life. This 2nd class circus is a defined "family" though, and they live isolated on the sullied fringes of regular society.
All three leads were truly luminous. Jacob and Marlena were both lovely and believable in their restrained, refined roles. Christoph Waltz, as August, proved again he can be an "enigma absolute." He is charismatic and likable; his enthusiasm and joy is literally tangible, but somewhere beneath, there seems to lurk something so horrific, there simply aren't words to name it. I have so much admiration for the magic of this Christoph Waltz after "Inglourious Basterds" and now, this new film. It is my great hope that he will choose his roles wisely and with delicacy, so that we can continue to relish in his talents for many years to come.
My virtual hat is off! Off to the writer, cinematographer, set director, art director, director, editors, costume designer, and everyone involved. "Water for Elephants" is a can't-help-but-watch-it-again movie masterpiece with music by talented James Newton Howard that will make you tap your feet one minute and then want to cry the next.
Hal Holbrook, Paul Schneider, James Frain, Mark Povinelli, and more! Wow. What outstanding work by supporting actors, and what fine casting! Hal Holbrook EASILY was old Jacob to Robert Pattinson's young Jacob. That's so hard to do, and yet, it was so easily done here.
Romantic, sweeping, frightening and sometimes violent --this film is TRUE-to-life while still being BIGGER-than-life.
Its tag line is "Life is the most spectacular show on earth", and once you've seen the film, it's the perfect statement.
I didn't read the novel, but I am an avid fan of classic films, and an animal lover, and I highly recommend "Water for Elephants" for most anyone (who is at least in their teens.) The only critique I have of this movie is that it was too short! It was so beautiful and it carried me away so completely, I think I could have enjoyed it for another hour.
"Water for Elephants" sweeps you into circus life of the 1930's, during the hungry and desperate times of the Great Depression. It's a nomadic, hard-working, and very sparse life. This 2nd class circus is a defined "family" though, and they live isolated on the sullied fringes of regular society.
All three leads were truly luminous. Jacob and Marlena were both lovely and believable in their restrained, refined roles. Christoph Waltz, as August, proved again he can be an "enigma absolute." He is charismatic and likable; his enthusiasm and joy is literally tangible, but somewhere beneath, there seems to lurk something so horrific, there simply aren't words to name it. I have so much admiration for the magic of this Christoph Waltz after "Inglourious Basterds" and now, this new film. It is my great hope that he will choose his roles wisely and with delicacy, so that we can continue to relish in his talents for many years to come.
My virtual hat is off! Off to the writer, cinematographer, set director, art director, director, editors, costume designer, and everyone involved. "Water for Elephants" is a can't-help-but-watch-it-again movie masterpiece with music by talented James Newton Howard that will make you tap your feet one minute and then want to cry the next.
Hal Holbrook, Paul Schneider, James Frain, Mark Povinelli, and more! Wow. What outstanding work by supporting actors, and what fine casting! Hal Holbrook EASILY was old Jacob to Robert Pattinson's young Jacob. That's so hard to do, and yet, it was so easily done here.
Romantic, sweeping, frightening and sometimes violent --this film is TRUE-to-life while still being BIGGER-than-life.
Its tag line is "Life is the most spectacular show on earth", and once you've seen the film, it's the perfect statement.
25 of 26 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!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a pleasure to watch from beginning to end
what more can I say. If you missed it at the movies get yourself a copy of the dvd, you wont be sorry
Published 25 days ago by Helen J. Mcmellon
My Easter present
Just a lovely little film better than a chocolate egg (but not cheaper) and it will last longer. Some people might think because Robert Pattinson is in it they won't want to watch... Read more
Published 25 days ago by Effie51
rem
Absolutly loved it! brilliant film, great story line. Rob and Reese have great chemistry together on sreen and really work well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by rem
A brilliant watch!
Bought as a gift and was reluctant to watch it but have since watched the film- it is truly a spectacular film- the cinematography is perfect and I could not fault one minute of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kara41
Brilliant.
I am a big fan of Robert Pattinson and Reece Witherspoon. They are both amazing in this film. I really enjoyed it and it's not like anything I personally have watched before. Read more
Published 1 month ago by looby
Riveting Viewing
This was a really nice change in genre to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie immensely. I had no idea what to expect so was pleasantly surprised.
Published 2 months ago by Mayflower
Great Service
This was a really good film. I really enjoyed it. Would recommend this to anyone. Robert Pattinson was very good in it. It arrived very quickly, within a few days of ordering.
Published 2 months ago by Y. M. Morrell
Watch with Dumbo.
Quite an interesting change of role!
Got quite Emotional about the trials the poor elephant suffered during the journey. Read more
Got quite Emotional about the trials the poor elephant suffered during the journey. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Michael J. Smethers
Water For Elephants
This is a romance, but should hold the interest of most people who watch it. Including someone like me who likes space films... Entertaining film. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J9004
Original Romantic Film
"Water for Elephants" is a surprisingly good romantic,adventure drama , set in a travelling circus in Depression era America. Read more
Published 3 months ago by L. Davidson
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