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Water for Elephants: Hit or Miss?

By Carly Rech

This movie has it all: romance, action, and drama! 

Sara Gruen’s gritty and rough best-selling novel, Water for Elephants, was transformed into a fun, respectable film by Fox’s screenwriter, Richard LaGravenese. Although the plot changed from book to movie, it was a good transformation leading to a great story. 

Water for Elephants is set during the tough times of the Great Depression in the early 1930’s.  Jacob (Robert Pattinson), a Cornell veterinary school student, jumps a train after losing his family, home, and future business only to find himself with a traveling circus.  Because of his skills with animals, Jacob is eventually hired as the Benzini Brothers Circus’ vet and is taken under the wing of the bipolar owner, August (Christopher Waltz).

With his new job, Jacob is forced to spend the majority of his time with August and his young wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).  Jacob enjoys working with Marlena and the animals, especially the new elephant, but quickly witnesses the corrupt ways of the circus business:  men red lighted, workers not paid, animals abused and rubes cheated out of their money.  Soon hatred burns between Jacob and August, because of different morals and loving the same woman, Marlena.  Although Jacob despises August, he feels he must stay with the circus in order to protect the animals and Marlena from August’s rage.

The director of this movie, Francis Lawrence, did a wonderful job showing the rugged and gritty setting while still keeping it clean and safe for kids to watch.  The setting was the same as the book, and the plot was even better.  It was nice how the story was framed by the elderly Jacob (Hal Holbrook) telling the story to a modern circus manager.  The only element this film lacked in was acting.

It wasn't that the acting was bad, Waltz and the supporting actors were great; it was Whitherspoon who didn't fit the part portrayed in the book.  Marlena wasn't as weak and was more respectable in the book than in the movie.  Other than that, this movie was a homerun.  I give it four stars out of five.

Madman's Journal

 

He’s ruining everything…the show, the system, my marriage. I hate him! I hate that sniveling brat! I hate how he works. I hate how he thinks. I hate how he looks at Marlena. It obvious the stupid kid has fallen for her.

I’ve been keeping a close eye on the two of them; waiting for the chance to act. Right now, I’ve kept low waiting for any sparks, watching for any mistakes. Marlena is mine and no one else will EVER have her.

Jacob is too stupid to see what he has coming. He’s going to pay soon…very, very soon. He made a huge mistake jumping on my train.    

One Man Circus

“But I don’t want to!” I whined in protest.  My ridiculous parents insist on trying to embarrass me every chance they get, but this time they’ve gone too far.  It’ll be in front of the whole county.  What are they thinking?!  Everyone will be there…friends, family, classmates.  The teasing will be endless.  I’m seven years old; I can’t be seen like this! Why do they have to think it’s their responsibility to torture their children?

My mother tries to persuade me in her sweet voice, “Come on, honey. You’ll be adorable.  Everyone will think it’s cute.”

“Cute!  I’ll look like an idiot.  Why don’t you do it, if you think it’s so adorable?” It didn’t take long for me to realize I had replied a little too harshly, after I glanced at my father.

“Stop acting like a two year old,” my dad said forcefully. “Do as you mother says and put on the costume.”

After hearing the tone of his voice, I knew there was no way out of the situation. There was nowhere to hide; no place to run.  I was stuck.  So I pulled on my hideous purple wig, allowed my mom to paint my face, and grabbed hold of the little red wagon full of candy and my basset hound, Lucky.  He glanced up at me with those sad eyes clearly enjoying his costume as much as I was enjoying mine.  I shake my head sadly as I trudge toward the parade with my wagon.

“Well, Lucky, it looks like the circus is in town.”

Whenever I’m down and out

I give my girl a shout

She’s fun and kind and smiley

Of her I think highly

Always there to lift me up

Constant in filling my cup

Of all people she’s the one I admire

And she never ceases to inspire

Everyone looks to her

When everything seems a blur

Strong and brave

We know she will never cave

A beast on the court

She knows how to hold down the fort

A student in the school

She’s clearly a jewel

Gorgeous, bubbly, and pretty

Even a bit witty

This girl has it all

And never lets her friends fall

Loved by everyone

She shines like the sun

What would the world be without Keri?

To tell you the truth, it’d be a little scary

Peru…

                         

…home of snow-capped mountains, tropical rainforests, giant sand dunes, and massive volcanoes.  A land of great diversity and adventure…

                               

…ancient ruins, exotic animals, friendly people…

…no place can compare. This place is paradise. 

                                                            

Stories Untold

Differences, conflict, war

Rots through a being’s core.

No understanding turns to hate

Where suffering and pain await.

Covetousness, intolerance, greed

Ignores as peace pleads.

Men’s hunger for more

Leaves the world tore.

Hurt, agony, tears

The suffering has no cures.

Memories and images engraved

Until innocent minds have caved.

Violate, beat, maul

Man’s greed affects us all.

Children’s eyes behold

A story of pain untold.

Slay, butcher, slaughter

One massacre leads to another.

Hatred turns to genocide

What does war prove? You decide.

SGCHS Journal

SGCHS Studnents Enjoy Outstanding Performance

Shakespeare in the Schools came to Sweet Grass County High School this week on Monday October 24.  They put on an outstanding show.  Costumes, prompts, and characters were all wonderful.  As You Like It was the Shakespeare play performed by this group and it turned out to be ideal for this school; it left the whole auditorium laughing, gasping, and craving more.  When asked about their feelings on the play, one SGHS student replied without pause, “I loved it. It was funny and the acting was phenomenal.”

Shakespeare in the Schools performing As You Like It

            Following the stupendous performance, the actors gave advice about acting and taught the students about various areas of performing.  Many students participated in the workshops put on by the Shakespeare in the Schools group.  Language, friends, banishment, and stage combat were the four different workshops taught.  In the short time frame they had to teach, their students made progress and had a blast doing so.  

            By the end of the day all who had come had a better appreciation for Shakespeare, acting, and plays.  It is obvious this event was very beneficial for SGCHS’s students.  Sweet Grass County High School appreciates the time and energy Shakespeare in the Schools put into the performance on Monday.  Thank you, Shakespeare in the Schools, for coming to Big Timber!