review of 'water for elephants'

Water for elephants : animal lovers : this one’s a double edged sword – you will love the film, for the sheer joy of the vast, unfolding canvas of a traveling circus & then, like it did for me, your heart will also bleed at the ruthless cruelty & callousness, meted out to these helpless creatures, all because ‘the show must go on!’

This is the delightful genre of films which I categorize as “story book films”, if you know what I mean!

WFE treats you to a trip down memory lane: into those winding paths of your childhood, when you experienced the euphoria of a traveling circus visiting town – those were the uncomplicated days, before my weak heart could not handle caged animals & refused to step into a zoo, or a circus!

… & the Tridev who make up the lead cast : You forgive Robert Pattison for his vampire aberration in the horrendous “Twilight” series & want to wrap him in a tight hug, feed him & take him home … not just for his innocent, vulnerable, absolutely adorable looks (could be a legitimate reason by itself though!), but for the kindness & sensitivity reflected in his eyes, when he tears up at the plight of the abused elephant, a cute, gorgeous “Rosy”, or despite facing the wrath of a maniacal boss, shoots the lame horse to relieve her of her misery.

The charismatic Christoph Waltz from ‘Inglourious Basterds, who hasn’t set a foot wrong since then! As the maniacal boss circus owner, he brings menace to the character … even when he is bonhomous & smiling, you experience sheer fear – chilling!!!

Reese Witherspoon, as the star performer, torn between her compromise of a marriage with the boss, while parts of her loathe him for his cruelty & her growing attraction to the young, sensitive vet, does full justice to her role.

The accessories – the suspicious midget, who becomes a trusted friend, the old man who gives Robert Pattison a leg up the train & into the circus, the fat lady, the trapeze artistes …. so real, colorful & spot on!

The final tadka, which for an escapist like me, is a necessary evil, a satisfying, zabardast happy “The End!”