Water For Elephants, the book, enriched me when I read it eight months or so ago. The vivid and haunting images, the characters, its highly satisfying end, the totality of it took hold of me.
Usually I'm leery about seeing movies based on books that I've loved, but when I saw the trailer, I knew I had to see it. Two nights ago, I was not disappointed. I was ready to stand and applaud.
Water For Elephants, the movie, was spectacular. On the Big Screen it delivered the Big Top to movie audiences just as it had arrived on the rails to the small dusty towns of depression era America. Back then, it was an unparalleled event. It was magic. And beyond the magic was brutality and courage, pain, grime, glamor, the critters - ah the amazing critters - and the people with their many stories.
I nominate this wonderful film for many many Oscars - knowing that it will probably be long forgotten when the summer blockbusters eclipse it and the money folks begin their electioneering for other worthy and not-so worthy contenders. (I'd love being wrong about this.)
See Water for Elephants on the Big Screen. It is a Very Big Movie.
