Water For Elephants: The Movie

We went to see the movie last night. Though we are still processing our thoughts on the movie, our opinions are running rampant! Thus, we decided to do a JOINT blog post to banter and discuss...all things WFE.

First thoughts though...WOW!  We were impressed.  Being both concerned that we had hyped the movie up so much that we would be let down, just to tell you...that is not the case. (Though, we do see through Rob shaded glasses, lets be honest) Rob Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz were excellent. Of course, Rob, was our favorite. He WAS our Jacob Jankowski. 

A few SEXY pictures (I really couldn't resist)

The movie stuck so closely with the book! I haven't ever watched a movie that accurate. The book even capturing some of the dialogue.  The whole movie felt so authentic. The look/feel was exactly as I had visualized, it was absolutely beautiful. Walking out we both felt we were born in the wrong decade.


We can think of at least 10 - 15 times throughout the movie that we looked at each other and said "Oh My, He-is-SOooooo-Hot!".  No one prepared us for the level of hotness that we would witness. (Pictures beforehand really were NOT the same!) And after all was said and done - its been decided - Rob looks best with a tan and some scruff...working, shoveling Rob = WHOA! I think my heart stopped during that scene where is shoveling horse maneauer in a wife-beater. I mean come on, he is shoveling shit but it doesn't even matter, he looks AMAZING!

This pic does not do him justice, but it is the only pic I could find...

So, just as we thought we had it under control, our love/obsession with Robert Pattinson came back with full force after watching this movie. This whole post could go on for days about how great Rob Pattinson is, but we digress.

Having read the book, we both connected with the characters in the movie easily. We were able to follow the love story and know where Marlena's heart lay.  However, we do wonder if it was as easy and heart warming to a movie-goer who hasn't read the book. Did they feel it? Did they love it as much as we did? I found myself sometimes wondering, "if someone hasn't read this book, do they think he's getting played by Marlena?".

A few of our favorite parts:

• Um....Hotel scene! (Except that some girl was giggling throughout - I mean, EXCUSE me - I'm trying to fantasize visualize watch the movie - keep your trap shut!)

• The clips at the end of the movie that were the home movies of Jacob, Marlena, and their children. We LOVED that. It was so sweet. (I thought quite a little creative move which allows you to actually SEE just a bit of their "happily-ever-after")

• The stampede played out exactly like we thought it would. We were so excited to see that come to life and it was amazing. 

• Jacob getting drunk in August and Marlena's cabin. Well...the part we really thought were actually - the effects of it. Barbara and the girls getting ahold of Jacob and dressing him up....neither of us were prepared for the level of AWESOMENESS.  I want to find that picture of him when he emerges out of that trunk.  WE NEED IT! We have searched all morning and cannot find it. If anyone out there has it, please help a girl out and send it. It it going to be our twitter wallpaper, phone wallpaper, hell it might even become by bathroom wallpaper (I kid, I kid). It really was epic...wig, makeup, costume, TASSLE. (Can't help but imagine Rob Pattinson may have ACTUALLY had a night or two like that himself? Hmmm? Drunk-man-walking...I think played suspiciously accurately. Bah-ha!)

If you haven't seen this movie yet, GET YOUR KEYS, GET IN THE CAR, and SEE IT NOW. It is worth it.

Let us know what you thought about the movie. Was there something they missed that you felt should have been included? Did you hate? Did you love it? Can you NOT stop thinking about Rob Pattinson now?

Tag your it...

Water For Elephants

Category: MUST READ, Robert Pattinson, Romance

Book Description by Borders

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Water for Elephants…  I LOVE THIS BOOK.  I read the book in just two days and when I was done, I didn't want it to be over. I find that the books you love the most are the ones that are the hardest to talk about.

I had thought about buying this book so many times. To be honest, I had ulterior motives when beginning this book. I will let you in on a small secret.  I might have picked this book up shortly after hearing that Rob Pattinson was going to play Jacob Jankowski (don’t judge).  I knew I would want to see the movie since I am a fan of Mr. Pattinson.  So I bought the book and sat down to see what all the fuss was about.

Well, now I know. The book is great. The author does a great job of creating a beautiful world to let you get lost in.  The relationship between Marlena and Jacob is so sweet and believable. There is nothing over the top or desperate about their relationship. It is just real. Upon their first meeting, I was cheering for them. 

Jacob is an endearing character with a kind soul. Jacob’s journey has many twists and turns. Your heart breaks for him as he experiences life at its worst and you find yourself smiling when Jacob gets the happiness he deserves. The author also does a great job writing the secondary characters.  Each character is so unique....August, Camel, and Walter (Kinko). Sara Gruen is able to paint a vivid picture of the circus life in the 1930's.

If I am being completely honest, I did find one draw back to the book.  I did get a little bored when the story line flips to present time and the "older" Jacob is no longer narrating the flash back. I am sure the present time story line was relevant to the book, but my focus was on Jacob and Marlena.  I wasn't quite as interested in the "older" Jacob harassing the nurses and his fellow peers. I felt that it slowed the story line down. I found my self speed-reading through these parts to get back to the flashbacks with Marlena and Jacob.  That being said, it isn't a big enough negativity that it would hinder me from recommending this book to anyone out there. It truly is a great book and deserves its spot on the best sellers list.

The book is a must read. I fell in love with the world that Sarah Gruen created. The circus has never been more intriguing. I CANNOT WAIT to watch this book come to life.

 Movie Release Date: April 22nd, 2011

Let me know what you think...tag your it.

-Izzy