Elephant in the Living Room (2010)

Directed by Michael Webber
Starring Tim Harrison and Terry Brumfield
Runtime 96min. - Rated PG
4 Stars (out of 4)

"Elephant in the Living Room" is available on DVD or $3.99 V.O.D including
Amazon, Vudu, or YouTube.

Michael Webber's "Elephant in the Living Room" reinforces a belief that I've always had. What I didn't realize is that I may be in the minority on the issue. Personally, I don't think people should own dangerous exotic pets. It isn't just that they should choose not to, they should legally be banned from owning them. Not only are people allowed to own lions, tigers, and bears (wait for it) in most states, but at least 7 states require no permits and have no laws regarding ownership. That should make you say, "oh my".


If you want to know the difference between "reality"-TV and true documentary filmmaking, just watch "When Animals Attack" on cable and then compare it to "Elephant in the Living Room". The difference is that "Elephant" has a story to tell. That means it has characters, conflict, love, sadness and all the other things that make life interesting.

The story is frequently side-tracked, but centers around two men on different sides of the fence. Tim Harrison is a Public Safety Officer who specializes in rescuing and relocating exotic animals. He's also the guy you call when your neighbor's pet python is eating your cat. Terry Brumfield is a truck-driver who retired early due to an accident that left him disabled. He is also the proud owner of two adult African lions; one male, one female. Both men live in Ohio.

Aside from the main story, we're taken on a trip around the nation to assure us that Ohio is not the only place with exotic animals roaming free. Giant snakes have been released into the Florida Everglades where they've established a breeding population. A local wildlife officer tries to relocate a Burmese python but he's given away so many that nobody has room for one more. Out of options and with a sense of regret, the officer shoots the snake with a shotgun. Afterward he confesses belief that the snakes are here to stay no matter what measures are taken.

We're also treated to a montage of news stories. Charla Nash has became a symbol for the banning of exotic animal ownership. She had her face ripped off by a friend's "pet" chimpanzee. She also lost both of her hands in the process. I wouldn't dare say she's fortunate, but a facial transplant has been a success.


Do you remember the grizzly bear that Will Ferrel wrestled in "Semi-Pro"? The filmmakers remember him. His name was Rocky and not long after that movie he killed his trainer. That incident sums up a section of the film that blames the media for its cuddly portrayal of animals. We see images of Steve Irwin, Jack Hannah and Jarod Miller playing with dangerous creatures and bringing them to talk shows. Personally, I don't think those specific examples fit. Hannah and Miller would never advocate the private trade of dangerous animals. They are more concerned about getting kids interested in conservation at a young age. I think it would be wise to consider them a potential part of the solution rather than the problem.

In addition to Florida and Ohio, Texas is a hotbed for animal trade. According to the film, there are more Siberian tigers owned by Texans than there are left in the wild. The Texans also have a fondness for owning alligators. My feeling is that alligators should only be raised for consumption. Sorry vegans.

So where the hell do people get alligators and venomous snakes? In some states they visit private auctions. At first glimpse it looks like a cattle auction, except it features lion cubs, cougars and other predators.

After our vacation we head back to Ohio where Officer Harrison takes us inside a reptile trade show. There he finds alligators, pythons, tarantulas and even more dangerous creatures such as puff adders and copperheads. There are thousands of animals at the show, all of them safely placed inside of Tupperware containers and sealed with Scotch tape. Seriously. We meet a small child who is happy to have purchased a baby alligator. His parents know it will grow to about 8 feet, but I'm left wondering if any of them really grasp the concept that it will be able to eat them in a few years.

The lion owner, Terry Brumfield, has had some reality-show moments. His male lion escaped and was found torturing cars on the interstate. Since that time he's had both his lions locked up in a junk horse-trailer where they barely have room to move. All sorts of activists and do-gooders try to intervene and even threaten to steal the animals. It's no surprise that when Tim Harrison visits Brumfield he's met with anger and threats. Eventually Brumfield concedes and has a conversation with Harrison.

Throughout the majority of the film I just wanted to punch Terry Brumfield in his big redneck face. He comes across as a dumb hillbilly who's going to own those lions even if it threatens the safety of the townsfolk or puts the lions themselves in danger.

Thankfully, Officer Tim Harrison isn't as quick to judge people. He has a civil conversation with Brumfield that reveals the man beneath. After Brumfield's accident he was not only physically handicapped, but extremely depressed. When someone gave him a lion cub he found out that raising it was therapeutic. He got the female lion to keep the other one company. Though he is very attached, he entertains the idea of sending the lions to a sanctuary where they could be free. It's a very small patch of common ground, but it gets Harrison in the door. When Brumfield takes him over to meet the lions they make a discovery together; four new born cubs. As Brumfield began to weep at the sight, my own misgivings faded.

The lion cubs were beautiful, but they also represented an extreme increase in responsibility, commitment, and troubles. I don't want to summarize the entire movie, but there's no lack of tragedy. There's also a little triumph. The film's message is made loud and clear and the characters are sympathetic. It's an unforgettable documentary.