FILM REVIEW: ONE LUCKY ELEPHANT

Flora in One Lucky Elephant.

Tusk tusk

By Don Simpson

After 16 years as the namesake and centerpiece of David Balding’s Circus Flora, it is time for Flora, an African elephant living in St. Louis, to retire. Lisa Leeman’s documentary, One Lucky Elephant, begins in 2000, as Balding searches for a suitable new home for Flora. At first, Balding is convinced that it would be best for Flora to return to Africa, but when a chance to ship Flora to Botswana falls through, Balding places Flora in the Miami Metro Zoo.

Once settled in her new home, Flora begins to exhibit antisocial and aggressive behavior at the Miami Metro Zoo. David then fights to have Flora accepted into the Elephant Sanctuary, a nonprofit property in Tennessee that attempts to mimic the natural habitat of its Asian elephants. It is not long before psychologists begin to suggest that Flora's erratic personality is due to post traumatic stress disorder stemming back to her youth. As part of Flora’s treatment, Balding must agree not to visit his “daughter” any longer.

Balding purchased Flora when she was two years old. Flora was born in the wild and then brought into captivity after her mother and other members of her herd were slaughtered right in front of her. Upon taking ownership of Flora (if one can ever “own” an elephant), Balding regretfully admits to abiding by cruel -- yet traditional -- practices to “break” Flora into a trainable circus elephant.

Once she was broken, he spoiled her with fatherly love and affection. Balding is riddled with guilt, especially for never socializing Flora with other elephants and for making Flora perform in his circus far past her prime. Balding seems to recognize that his mistakes and misjudgements have harmed Flora and now he finds himself stuck in the middle of a fiery animal rights debate over the ethical treatment of elephants.

Similar in subject to James Marsh’s far superior Project Nim, Leeman's documentary aptly discusses interspecies relationships and the dangers of becoming too friendly with wildlife. One Lucky Elephant alternates between being a love story between a man and his elephant, a wildlife documentary, a character portrait of Balding, and a public service announcement about animal rights. Unfortunately, One Lucky Elephant shies away from truly criticizing the captivity of elephants -- and other wildlife -- in circuses.