Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Water For Elephants'
(KCBS) - KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews the film based on the book of the same name, starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (PG-13)
Based on the bestselling novel, we are transported back to 1930's Depression America. Through the eyes of a veterinary student we find ourselves part of a second rate circus train. This circus stops at towns and cities, giving hungry audiences a pathetic grandeur and escapist thrills. Robert Pattinson is our protagonist..quietly believable and leading man sexy..and through fine acting, simply terrific storytelling and uplifting moments of humanity found in the darkest places. We become invested and involved in characters and plot. Reese Witherspoon keeps it real as a woman trapped and Christophe Waltz from Inglourious Basterds once again is a man we love to hate, but even better here as a monster with moments of self loathing and fear, always skating on the edge of insanity. As an animal lover, I was afraid to see this, but thankfully there is real emotional uplift mixed in - something needed in this dark tale of desperation and exploitation. By far the best drama of the year.
SEE RIGHT NOW: THE CONSPIRATOR, THE LINCOLN LAWYER, THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU, WIN WIN
DVD/HOME VIDEO: THE KING'S SPEECH, INSIDE JOB, RABBIT HOLE, THE ERNIE KOVAC'S COLLECTION.
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