For Valentine’s Day, we revisit the film that Titanic overshadowed—the beautifully shot, Great Depression-era circus romance Water for Elephants. The Film Buff breaks down what makes this film so expertly crafted while also rooting for an elephant to take down the villain.
Those who brought us Water for Elephants.
Main Cast:
Reese Witherspoon – Marlena Rosenbluth
Robert Pattinson – Jacob Jankowski
Hal Holbrook – Older Jacob Jankowski
Christoph Waltz – August Rosenbluth
Tai – Rosie, the Elephant
Supporting Cast:
James Frain – Rosie's Caretaker
Paul Schneider – Charlie O'Brien
Ken Foree – Earl
Tim Guinee – Joe "Diamond Joe"
Mark Povinelli – Kinko / Walter
Scott MacDonald – Blackie
Jim Norton – Camel
Richard Brake – Grady
Sam Anderson – Mr. Hyde
John Aylward – Mr. Ervin
Brad Greenquist – Mr. Robinson
Uggie – Queenie, the Terrier
Crew:
Direction & Production:
Director: Francis Lawrence
Producers: Gil Netter, Erwin Stoff, Andrew Tennenbaum
Writing:
Screenplay: Richard LaGravenese
Based on the novel by: Sara Gruen
Cinematography & Editing:
Cinematographer: Rodrigo Prieto
Editor: Alan Edward Bell
Music & Sound:
Composer: James Newton Howard
Sound Designer: Addison Teague
Production Design:
Production Designer: Jack Fisk
Art Direction: David Crank
Set Decoration: Jim Erickson
Costume & Makeup:
Costume Designer: Jacqueline West
Makeup Artist: Felicity Bowring
Visual & Special Effects:
VFX Supervisor: Edson Williams
Special Effects Coordinator: Matt Kutcher
