<p>I saw “Water for Elephants” last night and thought that they did a pretty good job transferring the story to film. I enjoyed seeing the depression era circus setting on screen—it was quite similar to how I had imagined it.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s giving away anything essential to say that they eliminated the character of Uncle Al (making August the owner of the show). I thought Christoph Walz was excellent as August—riveting in every scene he was in. Jacob and Marlena were more bland, but that’s very much how they were in the book, too.</p>
<p>I am glad I read the book first because knowing the back-story for many of the characters enhanced the film for me. For example, the movie—already at 120 minutes—did not really have time to delve into Jacob’s evolving relationship with Camel and Walter. Those men are there, of course, but in a more limited way, and it helped that I already “knew” them before the movie began.</p>
<p>For those who are wondering, the movie is (in my opinion) acceptable for pre-teens. The gratuitous sex from the book has been eliminated—there is just one fairly tame love scene. </p>
<p>I agree with BUandBC82 that Rosie was great. Best Actress in a Supporting Role? :)</p>
<p>And … possible movie SPOILERS - though actually this whole book discussion thread contains spoiler after spoiler. </p>
<p>no nursing home scenes … I missed them, yet their absence makes Jacob seem less infirm and more in control of his destiny - much less the confused old man in the wheelchair. It actually helped reconcile my disbelief that the circus would take him on.</p>
<p>Marlena also doesn’t run away from a loving home at 17. She leaves nothing better behind when she joins the circus and has nothing better to return to should she want. Life with August and the circus is upward mobility for her - another change from the book that made sense to me.</p>
<p>Christoph Waltz steals every scene he’s in - except maybe those with Rosie. No one mentions mental illness (paranoid schizophrenia) - he’s just cruel.</p>
<p>Really wasn’t sure I wanted to see the movie (friends asked me to go with them) but am glad I did.</p>
<p>I just got back from the movie. I agree that the ancillary characters weren’t developed enough and I was glad I knew the back story. I also didn’t really believe the love story. I was looking for move of a Lancelot-Guineviere longing love story and it wasn’t there. I never really believed that Marlena really wanted to leave the circus, leave August and run away with Jacob. Oh well, still an enjoyable 2 hours.</p>
<p>Rosie, however, was awesome and played her role very convincingly.</p>