Director: Francis Lawrence (1)
Cast: Reese Witherspoon (2), Robert Pattinson
(3), and Christoph Waltz (4)
My favourite quote - "You're a beautiful woman, you deserve a beautiful life, nothing less."
Did you know? - The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Sara Gruen. She wrote the book as part of the National Novel Writing Month also known as NaNoWriMo.
Halfway through the film I found myself asking
a friend of mine who’s already watched it ‘How long more does this take?’ Is
the story bad? Nah. Is the pacing slow? It is at some points. What about the
acting? All three leads are fantastic actors and whenever they are not playing
off each other on screen they are fantastic. However, if they have any
chemistry off screen, it didn’t really come off on screen. Also, I can’t help
but think of Twilight’s Edward Cullen everytime Robert Pattinson appears.
Christoph Waltz was fantastic in the film though. He was able to make me hate
him for being so cruel, but also to have a sudden empathy for him for that
brief moment when he was vulnerable.
I am fascinated by circus acts. I have a wish,
a goal if you will, to travel the world and watch all the Cirque Du Soleil
shows available at the time I can afford to do so. I call it my ‘Travel the
world according to Cirque Du Soleil’ plan. Cirque Du Soleil's Saltimbanco recently came into town (Singapore) and needless to say I went to watch it. I find it amazing how they are able
to do some of the fantastic stunts that they do. And for a living too! I think
they are very special individuals. And that’s what I really take away from this
film. That everyone, no matter how weird or different (physically or otherwise), is special
and has something to offer to the world.
Also, I think that people shouldn’t sell
themselves short. If you don’t deserve the crap someone gives you, and you can
do something about it, DO IT! Life is short, don’t waste time allowing yourself
to be under the thumb of someone who doesn’t appreciate you or someone who
doesn’t give a s**t how you feel.
I also loved Rosie! The elephant featured in
the film. My heart went out for the animals portrayed in the film. When I said
I was fascinated by circus, my concept of the circus is the modern ones like
Cirque Du Soleil not the ones featuring animals or “strange people” like those
featured in the film The Vampire’s Assistant. So the parts where the animals
were being ill-treated made me cringe so bad. Even if one were not an animal
person, how can one be so cruel to an innocent being who in no way has harmed
them? Do unto others what you want others to do unto you. I think people should
remember this when treating other human beings (eg, nannies, domestic helpers,
customer service staff) and even animals. How would you feel if someone took a
stab at you with a poker just cos you didn’t want to do what they wanted you to
do?
The film though a little slow moving, had a
good story to share with the audience, and I loved all that it was trying to
say and connected with the film on so many different levels. For once,
the main thing I took away from the film wasn’t through the love story. Which I
think was because I did not connect with the on screen couple Jacob and Marlena
played by Robert Pattinson and Resse Witherspoon. Though, I love the
set design, costumes, cinematography and theme of the film. So I really can
overlook that little hiccup in the chemistry department.
(1) Francis Lawrence has directed films like
Constantine (2005) and I Am Legend (2007). He has also directed countless MTVs
some of them include Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake ft Timbaland, Buttons
by The Pussycat Dolls ft Snoop Dogg, Circus by Britney Spears, Bad Romance by
Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé’s Run The World (Girls).
(2) Resse Witherspoon has acted in films like
Cruel Intentions (1999), Legally Blonde (2001), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Legally Blonde 2:
Red, White & Blonde (2003), Vanity Fair (2004), Walk the Line (2005), Just
Like Heaven (2005), Penelope (2006), and This Means War (2012)
(3) Robert Pattinson has acted in films
like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), Twilight (2008), Little
Ashes (2009), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), Remember Me
(2010), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010), The Twilight Saga:
Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
(2012), and Bel Ami (2012)
(4) Christoph Waltz has acted in films
like Inglourious Basterds (2009), The Green Hornet (2011), and The
Three Musketeers (2011)
The
Eclectic Reviewer thinks… Water For Elephants will remind you to fight for what
you believe in and that both humans and animals deserve to be treated with
respect. (2.6 of 5)
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