On April 22nd, Water for Elephants was deservingly adapted and released onto the big screen. Taking a book so full magic and transferring those words into pictures isn’t easy, but it’s obviously possible.
Water for Elephants did an excellent job of making the adaptation seems less like a slideshow recap and more like a seamless story. Although a few details were omitted, such as the numerous passages of the reminiscent and elderly Jake, it didn’t really harm the movie itself. The movie doesn’t follow the shifts in time that are present in the book either, but the depiction of the Great Depression period was wonderful so I grant forgiveness for this alteration as well. You read about circuses during this time period in the book and the movie’s visuals aided in understanding the hard work and lifestyle that existed.
The movie is heartfelt and loveable, featuring Jake Jankowski‘s story with just the right amount of honesty and humor. I will say that the book had a greater sense of passion and violence than the film. And while I was still diverting my eyes from the scenes of domestic and animal abuse, the real magic of this book is conveyed in these passages and the story could have been even stronger if this was pushed to visually match Sara Gruen’s words. However that’s not to say you don’t feel for Jake as an old man just as you did for Noah in The Notebook. Jake’s life of dismissed dreams is able to come full circle, leaving him with a love greater than the original dream itself.
When it comes to the acting, I have to admit this is the first time I’ve seen Robert Pattinson act. That’s right, I’ve never seen Twilight. And I’ll be the first to admit he is much more appealing on the big screen. Pattinson did an excellent job capturing Jake’s personality and his emergence from the clothing trunk was one of the funniest, and most adorable, scenes in the movie. With that being said, the chemistry between Pattinson and Witherspoon wasn’t as elevated as I expected. Don’t get me wrong, your heart string are sure to be pulled, but perhaps in comparison to the text their relationship with each other isn’t as magical as their relationships with Rosie the elephant herself. Nonetheless, there is a love story here and their happy ending is one much deserved. The best performance of the film definitely goes to Christoph Waltz who plays August, the aggressive circus owner and husband to Witherspoon’s Marlena. His character is in either a state of disillusionment or one of fury and drunkenness. Waltz completes this film with unmatched intimidation.
Overall the cinematography is beautiful and unobstructed. The magic under the big tent is captivating and the costumes, sets, and animals create an unmatched charismatic world. When you can see human and emotional qualities within circus freaks, you know something was done right. I highly recommend this movie for its story, even if you love the book itself. Finally romance and tragedy are brought to life in a new perspective and setting, illustrating life really is “the most spectacular show on earth.” I was happily surprised by this adaptation; it’s definitely a movie that will remain a favorite throughout the years. Not to mention I really want an elephant now.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCLA chapter.