Water for Elephants (2011)

Intro and Setting
The 2011 film "Water for Elephants" is a romantic drama based upon the 2006 book by Sara Gruen. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz and is set in an American circus during the Great Depression.

Plot Synopsis
The film opens with a near 90-year-old Jacob Jankowski (Hal Holbrook) who has walked away from his assisted living home. Circus staff find him. As they wait for Jacob's custodian, he shares his fish story shown in a series of flashbacks with Pattinson playing the younger Jacob.

Jacob was studying veterinary science at an Ivy League college, but after his moms and dads' unforeseen death, he drops out due to financial restraints. Eventually, he boards a train unknowing it's a circus train come from the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show in the world. Jacob is used to care for the animals due to his veterinary abilities.

Central Characters and Relationships
August, the circus owner (Christoph Waltz), is a charming however sadistic male, who maltreats the circus animals and his beautiful star entertainer, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). Jacob and Marlena share a palpable attraction, culminating into a love affair, which infuriates August when he discovers their indiscretion.

Climax and Resolution
The climax of the story occurs when Rosie, an apparently untrainable elephant, all of a sudden understands Polish commands and ends up being the star tourist attraction, triggering the circus's fortunes to rise. The critical turn comes when August finds the affair between Marlena and Jacob. In jealous rage, August releases a violent pounding on Jacob and Rosie, the elephant. Jacob retaliates, triggering a lethal stampede from Rosie in the packed big top, killing August.

Ending
In the ending series, Marlena and Jacob leave the wreckage of the circus and begin a life together, eventually establishing a family and their own successful zoo. The elder Jacob exposes the circus personnel who found him is from the Ringling Brother's circus, follower to Benzini Brothers. Moved by his story, they provide him a task, and the senior Jacob, reviving his youthful passion, accepts.

Thematic Summary
"Water for Elephants" informs a poignant tale of love, loss, and the grit of survival amidst severe realities. It underscores empathy towards animals and demonstrates the darker, harsh side of circuses that was common throughout the time. At its core, this film is a romantic and tragic narrative set versus the background of a bygone age. It magnificently captures the transient way of life, vitality, struggle, difficulty, and often ruthlessness, that became part of circus life during the Great Depression. The film highlights how even within turmoil, withstanding love can bloom, and compassion can accomplishment over cruelty.

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