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Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider, Jim Norton ... see more see more... , Hal Holbrook , Mark Povinelli , Richard Brake , Stephen Monroe Taylor , Ken Foree , Scott Macdonald , James Frain , Sam Anderson , John Aylward , Brad Greenquist , Tim Guinee , Donna W. Scott , E.E. Bell , Kyle Jordan , Aleksandra Kaniak , Ilia Volok , Bruce Gray , Jim Jansen , James Keane , Ivo Nandi , Karynn Moore , Andrew Connolly , Doug McDougal , Tracy Phillips , Rowan O'Hara , Tai , Uggie , Ice , Major , Sita Acevedo , Danny Castle , Michael Coronas , Aloysia Gavré , Chobi Gyorgy , David Hunt , George Landkas-Coronas , Kerren McKeeman , Rebecca Ostroff , Bianca Sapetto , Katia Sereno , Vladimir Sizov , Russell Stark , Sebastien Stella , Lee-Anne Telford , Dreya Weber , Tara Ferguson , Shannon Freyer , Kelsey McNamee , Molly O'Neill , Aryiel Hartman , Michelle Lavon , Mark Barnett , Kacie Borrowman , Rob Crites , Kelly Erickson , Derrick Gilday , Jonathon Moore , Mary Newman , Brad Potts , Dalmicio Pueblos , Gabriel Ramos-Gomez , Jackie Zane , Aaron Bloom , Chris Grabher , Eddie Medrano , Stephen Simon , Jon Weiss , Tom Weymouth , Wyatt Biessel , Chris Blim , Duff Dugan , Marcus Everett , Joe Langer , Glen McDougal , Stefan Rollins , William Scott Morse , Evan Silverman , Beresford Bennett , Johnny Britt , Garnett Brown , George Harper , Bobby Haynes , Todd Cochran , Mike Davis , Keith Friddmont , Wynton McCurty , Deryl Patterson , Kabin Thomas , Karl Vincent

Based on the acclaimed bestseller, Water for Elephants presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. Veterinary school student Jacob meets and falls in love with Marlena, a star per... read more read more...former in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the world of the Big Top, and come together through their compassion for a special elephant. Against all odds -- including the wrath of Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August -- Jacob and Marlena find lifelong love. (c) Fox

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71% liked it

61,263 ratings

Critics

61% liked it

186 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 1 min.

Directed by: Francis Lawrence

Release Date: April 22, 2011

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DVD Release Date: November 1, 2011

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Stats: 5,440 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,440)

  • helpahorse
    May 14, 2012
    helpahorse
    This was a really cute movie. There was definitely no chemistry between Witherspoon or Pattinson, but it was pretty good. Nothing special or different about it. It's just an average drama. I'd totally watch it again, but not any time soon.
  • fb100002359227440
    March 26, 2012
    fb100002359227440
    An artificial, cliche and silly romantic story. A messy mix of Titanic, Twilight and Freaks, Water for Elephants is a bad decision in Waltz career. The outstanding actor must don't be stuck in the villain and look different roles. Ms. Witherspoon make a artificial acting very po... read moreor made and Mr. LaGravenese should get back to the old form. What form? A better form. Rotten.
  • fb701560354
    February 27, 2012
    fb701560354
    I haven't read the book, but the film is wonderfully told, and absolutely breathtakingly shot. Some people say that Robert Pattinson can't act, and that may be true for Twilight, but I think he's pretty good here as Jacob. Some complaints about the acting though are that Reese ... read moreWitherspoon and Christoph Waltz look ravishing, they really do lack chemistry. Now that may have been done purposely to enhance the fact that they are not happily married, or it may just be that: no chemistry. The relationship between Witherspoon and Pattinson is a bit better, but still feels cold and distant. On another note, I really loved Hal Holbrook here as the older Jacob. He was by far the most effective actor on screen. Water for Elephants is a wonderful, touching, and sometimes horrifying and sad film that features stunning cinematography and above average storytelling.
  • bbcfloridabound
    January 6, 2012
    bbcfloridabound
    If I had a top ten list for movies I watched in 2011 this film would be on it. A story about a old man who wanders into a modern day circus and appears to be left behind by a nursing home visit. When taken to the owners trailer he begins to tell a wonderful and amazing story abou... read moret how he worked in one of the top two circus during the depression. The story, the costumes, the actors and the scenes make this a movie that all must see, Don't judge a book by its title I would say. Reese WIitherspoon is beautiful. 5 stars
  • thmtsang
    January 1, 2012
    thmtsang
    Jacob was ablout to graduate as a vet when he learns of his parents fatal accident. He ends up on a train of a travelling circus. Where he meets and falls in love with one of the performers. However she is married to the cruel and violent circus owner. Good cast. Sad in parts bec... read moreause of animal cruelty.
  • fb791220692
    December 16, 2011
    fb791220692
    Water for Elephants nails the circus atmosphere and does a decent job as a period piece as well. Christoph Waltz is solid and the story itself has some intense emotional moments. However, the ending is revealed unceremoniously in the first five minutes in a way that calls to mind... read more The Notebook, but ten times less subtle. You know who will succeed and how they will succeed right from the beginning, ridding almost all of the tension from the entire movie. Speaking of predictability, I correctly finished the final line of the movie before it was delivered. Also, I find it weird that there are copious amounts of casually-used alcohol in most scenes, yet it is mentioned multiple times that the film takes place in the Prohibition Era. Talk about an elephant-sized oversight.
  • LWOODS04
    December 13, 2011
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider, Jim Norton, Hal Holbrook, Mark Povinelli, Richard Brake, Stephen Taylor

    Director: Francis Lawrence

    Summary: In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankows... read moreki (Robert Pattinson) joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). An affinity for elephants brings together the young pair, but the warmth between them sends Marlena's cruel husband, animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz), into a frightening fury.

    My Thoughts: "This is a great story-telling film. I enjoyed the story so much I am looking forward to reading the book. I felt Reese was too old for the character before watching it, but now seeing it I think she did great in the part and made me forget about my previous concerns. Robert Pattinson really surprised me in this film. I thought he was great in his role. I was impressed by his acting. I guess this film just helps prove he does have the talent. The torture of the elephant was awful and hard to watch. I think some who are big animal lovers will have issues with those scenes. Besides that I thought the movie was beautifully made and one of the better love stories I have seen."
  • DreamExtractor
    December 13, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Water for Elephants is a colorful fun movie, even if the acting isn't as great as I hoped. The story involves a man (Robert Pattinson) who joins a traveling circus after his parents die, soon he meets his best fiend, an elephant named Rosie, and meets the love of his life (Reese... read more Witherspoon) who is married to the ring master. The plot is not anything Oscar worthy, but its a good adaptation of the book which has caught the heart of millions, and I consider it to be a pretty good story in my opinion. The cats was not terrible first of all, Christoph waltz is pretty great, the problem is that Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon just are not great in these roles I think, I like them both but this was not the movie for them I think. The production of the film was tremendous, a sure fire Oscar contendor for best Art Direction I think, I loved it. Water for Elephants was a fun time at the movies, I enjoyed what I saw and would be willing to see it again if I got the chance.
  • fb100000145236770
    November 22, 2011
    fb100000145236770
    "Water for Elephants" is romance set in a very unlikely setting, the circus life of the 1930's. Robert Pattinson stars as Jacob, a veterinary school student who loses his parents and runs away. Upon hopping onto a traveling train he is thrust into the life as a circus worker. ... read moreHe then meets the off kilter promoter August(Christoph Waltz) who decides to use Jacob's veterinary skills to help with the animals. While helping a horse Jacob meets August's wife, Marlena(Reese Witherspoon), and begins to fall in love with her. The performances here are all very well done. Pattinson actually does pretty good, and has good chemistry with Witherspoon. Waltz is by far the best of the cast, and continues to be one of the best character actors today. The biggest issue I had with the movie is the pacing. It's pretty slow and takes a little too long to get going. The scenery is beautiful, and the animals really come to life. But the movie just drags some and it brings it all down a notch or two. Had it not been for the slow pace, this would be right up there with other great romance movies like "The Notebook". Still pretty decent, and I'm sure most(if not all) women will love it. Guys, give it a chance, you may enjoy it too.
  • itsjustme2004
    November 6, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    Really good movie based on one of my favorite books. I have to say, they did a pretty decent job adapting this book to film. Wonderful scenery. Really good choice of actors. The only disappointment for me was the reenactment of the tragic events that this book is based around (an... read more actual event). In the book, it was the most exciting part. They really didn't play that part up like they should have, in my opinion. All in all, though, a well done film.

View All Water for Elephants Reviews

Critic Reviews

Christine Champ
May 6, 2011
Christine Champ, Film.com

Water for Elephants may not be the best show on earth, but it's still quite a show. Full Review

David Denby
May 2, 2011
David Denby, New Yorker

The movie rather embarrassingly sells chastity in the midst of what feels like a lawless situation. It's handsomely mounted but timid. Full Review

James Berardinelli
April 23, 2011
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The great intangible of chemistry isn't present, making Water for Elephants seem longer and slower than one might hope. Full Review

Dana Stevens
April 22, 2011
Dana Stevens, Slate

Isn't it OK, once in a while, just to enjoy the spectacle of two beautiful people kissing in a train car in the shadow of an elephant? Full Review

Ella Taylor
April 22, 2011
Ella Taylor, NPR

Witherspoon makes an incongruously squeaky Marlena, and it doesn't help that Pattinson is about as ardently expressive as a log of wood trying to pass itself off as James Dean. Full Review

Rick Groen
April 22, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Does the sheer Hollywood hoopla add up to a perversely enjoyable brand of something that can be loosely called entertainment? I think it does. Full Review

Tom Long
April 22, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

Witherspoon sparkles appropriately, Waltz is indeed one scary dude and Pattinson acquits himself well enough, although he leans too much on grinning as a default reaction. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
April 22, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Water For Elephants is not, to borrow the Benzini Bros. Circus' motto -- "the most spectacular show on Earth." But it is a class act. Full Review

Peter Rainer
April 22, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

The film has a pleasing retro-ness that often mitigates the dullness. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
April 22, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

From scene to scene, and plot point to plot point, nothing connects. Pattinson, Witherspoon, and Waltz perform in separate rings of their three-ring circus. Full Review

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Facts

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    • August: The world runs on tricks, everyone plays but it's having a true talent, a gift born within something no degree can give you, you have such talent.
    • Charlie: We'll have you in the record books. Oldest man to run away to the circus.
    • Old Jacob: I'm not running away...I'm coming home.
    • Marlena: Where were you when I was seventeen?
    • Jacob: I'm not runnin' away. I'm comin' home.
    • Old Jacob: I'm not running away, I'm coming home.
    • Diamond Joe: It's your tent. And your lady. But MY Pinochole.
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