Go to the movies this weekend. Normally, that might sound like a threat, but there are at least two (count ‘em, two) watchable movies opening in theaters. It may not sound like much, but in the current box-office drought, it’s a veritable horn of plenty.
“Water for Elephants,” is a romantic melodrama that has no business being better than swill; shockingly, it is anything but.
Also read Leah Rozen's review: 'Water for Elephants': Edward Cullen Goes to the Circus
With “Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” Morgan Spurlock explores the not so mysterious methods of product placement.
“Incendies,” Canada’s entry for Best Foreign Film, follows a woman’s search for her roots with tragic results in a war-torn Middle-East country.
Based on Sarah Gruen’s 2006 novel, “Water for Elephants” is the best kind of pulpy melodrama. Set against a depression-era travelling circus, it is warm, nostalgic and sentimental; manipulative but in a way befitting the genre and not overly so.
Francis Lawrence (“I Am Legend”) delivers his best work yet, conjuring a timeless movie that feels like something Tyrone Power might have made in 1943.
While Robert Pattinson is no Tyrone Power, he delivers a strong performance; calm, still and heavy against the raging storm that is Christoph Waltz’s psychopathic ringmaster, August.
Pattinson did a lot of smoldering in the ‘Twilight’ movies and he does a lot of it here, too. It has turned him into a star and he evidently sees no reason to make a change. It would, however, be interesting to see him in a role that pushes him as he has yet to show much range.
As written by LaGravenese and portrayed by Waltz, August is the engine that drives the movie. It’s easy to see how Waltz, who won an Oscar for his chilling portrayal of SS Officer Landa in “Inglorious Basterds,” could easily slip into the shoes of the murderous ring master.
Sean Penn was in early talks to play the role and as magnificent as Waltz is -- you can’t help wondering how much fun it would be to see Penn tear into Pattinson.
Marlena, played by Witherspoon, shares scenes with Pattinson that show warmth and chemistry; their burgeoning romance feels organic and unforced. This is due, again, to LaGravenese’s adept feel for the material and Francis Lawrence’s subtle interpretation.
Despite its old-time pacing, “Water for Elephants” will likely please its target audience. Judging by the ‘Twilight’ movies, this is not a difficult demo to please. But it is encouraging to see that someone still thinks that just because material is aimed at younger audiences doesn’t mean it has to be awful.
“Water for Elephants” isn’t a great movie, but then again it never advertised itself as such. Not like Morgan Spurlock’s new documentary, “Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.”
In 2004, Spurlock’s “Super Size Me” taught the world that if it comes through the window of your car, it ain’t food.
