Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.

Nonureva Really Surprised!

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

justbusinessthebook I re-watched this movie on DVD many years after seeing it in a theatre. I remembered its general plot but not the details. Contrary to the rating by 'the reel reviewers', I found the movie interesting in both its plot and in its acting. Yes, I would retain the movie for 'my collection' but also know that it may be a difficult watch for some. The violence against animals and others is disturbing and all too real for the history of our humanity, even to this day. But, there is a message of hope that makes the moment of difficult watching worthwhile to an extent. However, I ended up asking if the fairy tale ending makes this movie honest to the human nature that continues around this world. It can be a movie that should cause us to ask if we might ever start to recognize the moments when we should rise above base animal instincts to act like caring human beings, when it really matters and against the brutes who see fear as a right to exert power. Over humans or animals..

Python Hyena Water for Elephants (2011): Dir: Francis Lawrence / Cast: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook, James Frain: The title is a reference to the calm after the storm. Taking us back to 1931 with narration by the aged hero with regards the the tragedy that unfolds. Hal Holbrook appears at the end of a circus performance. He left a home and tells of his life at the circus that brought romance, adventure and ultimately tragedy. His younger self is played by Robert Pattinson, whose parents die in a car accident while he was in college. With the bank seizing his home, he ends up aboard a train which is the circus travelling to another location. The ringmaster is a foul tempered man who abuses the animals and people alike. His wife is Marlena, the star attraction with a white horse is cut short when it suffers a bad hoof. Pattinson puts it down and nearly gets thrown from the train until the ringmaster brings in a new star attraction, an elephant. Directed by Francis Lawrence who previously made Constantine and I Am Legend. Pattinson holds strong in his willingness to protect others from the abuse of the ringmaster. Reese Witherspoon as Marlena is the star attraction whose act with a horse is replaced with Rosie the elephant. Christoph Waltz plays off the rage of the ringmaster who desires riches at any extent, but can see, as can we, Marlena's interest in Pattinson. Holbrook is the narrator who puts it in perspective. James Frain plays the elephant's caretaker, which is a step down for him in terms of career goals. Stunning production of the illusion and wonderment of the circus life. Score: 8 ½ / 10

rps-2 After choosing a war picture and a satire, both of which my wife hated, I said "You pick it tonight, dear." She selected "Water For Elephants" on Netflix for no good reason other than the interesting title. Well! I was prepared to pick up a book or do a crossword while she watched it. Wrong! It was one of the best films I've seen this year. Fascinating story. Great performances. Superb atmosphere. Top notch cinematography. There's some violence and some sex. But neither is gratuitous or excessive. Do you like the circus? You'll love this. Do you like trains? You'll love this. Do you like period pieces? You'll love this. In short, an exceptional and engrossing film.

Joey Trom Water for Elephants was a great movie, better than the book in my opinion. It had much less sexual contact and portrayed the relationship between Jacob and Marlena very well. Having Jacob talk to the circus director and telling the story that way was very creative and a great change to the movie. It also focused on Rosie, which I believe the book didn't cover very much. It was in general a great movie with good changes from the book; however I believe the ending scenes were much better in the book. Jacob and Marlena jumping off the train together to attempt to live a better life, then Jacob sneaking back on the train was romantic, but strange in the story line. As Jacob and Marlena were not expressed deeply to be very romantic to each other as much as the book, a more romantic scene is out of place. Walter is also a more of a major character in the book, and is barely scene in the movie. Walter somehow turns from a disgruntled dwarf to Jacob's friend in less than a night with nothing to show for it. Other than those few complaints, Water for Elephants was a great movie and I recommend everyone to see it at least once.