He’s not a vampire, but that doesn’t mean Robert Pattinson is breaking his “romance-novel-to-film-adaptation” streak. Then again, the “romance-novel-to-film-adaptation” thing is about the only similarity between WATER FOR ELEPHANTS and the TWILIGHT series. While we’re excited to see Pattinson spreading his wings, his role in ELEPHANTS isn’t why it’s bound for success.
Told in a sequence of memories, ELEPHANTS tells the life of Jacob Jankowski (Pattinson), a young veterinary student who has a mental breakdown after his parents are killed in a car accident. Jacob gives up his studies to become the head animal caretaker for a circus called “The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth”. Here, he meets Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), an equestrian performer married to an oddball animal trainer, August (Christoph Waltz).
Being a fan of Pattinson or not is beside the issue. With stand-up cast members like Witherspoon and Waltz, it doesn’t really matter who else is in the film (even if Pattinson is playing the lead). Waltz’ mere presence alone automatically bumps the film up ten notches.
It may have the stigma of being described as “THE NOTEBOOK, but with elephants”, but we’re recommending giving WATER FOR ELEPHANTS a chance. With Director by Francis Lawrence behind it, it’s bound to at least look good.