Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants is a beautiful movie - the cinematography, set and costume design almost make you want to have really been there. Probably not though, as it is set in the great depression.

The main character, Jacob, has everything going for him, as he is about to sit his final vetinary exam - until he is called out just as the exam start - both his parents have died in a motor vehicle accident.

As a result, he ends up with nothing, and winds up joining the circus. Not just any circus though, but the Benzini Bros Most Spectacular Show On Earth, and soon becomes the circus vet...

I'll leave the spoilers there - the other star of the show is Rosie the Elephant, whom Jacob must bring up to scratch as a new act to save the circus from financial ruin. It is at this point that the themes of cruelty and conflict really come together, and set the stage for the rest of the story.

I regard the film to be very good, 9/10 and was rather surprised by the quality acting from the cast given previous performances in other films.

Water for Elephants