Water for Elephants

Name: Water for Elephants
Genre: Drama
Released: April 22, 2011
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 52
Cast: Christoph Waltz, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 203 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 203 Ratings

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Water For Elephants

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: April 22, 2011 | PG-13

Starring: Christoph Waltz, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson

Summary: 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 performer 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 --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 performer 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. (20th Century Fox)

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Director: Francis Lawrence

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 122 min

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Critic Reviews

Peter Debruge

Apr 21, 2011

The filmmakers clearly value their public, crafting a splendid period swooner that delivers classic romance and an indelible insider's view of 1930s circus life. Read full review

Steve Persall

Apr 21, 2011

Reese Witherspoon can do a lot of things as an actor but playing a damaged-goods Depression era dame isn't one of them. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Apr 21, 2011

In Water for Elephants, Waltz plays a circus owner and ringleader during the Great Depression, and when he's onscreen, every eye is on him, no matter who is talking. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Apr 22, 2011

The primary drawback is the lack of chemistry between the leads, Reese Witherspoon and "Twilight's" Robert Pattinson. Read full review

Joe Williams

Apr 22, 2011

The most rewarding way to watch Water for Elephants is to focus on the sideshow of costumes and craftsmanship, because the romance in the center ring smells like trained animals going through the motions. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Pam Grady

Apr 21, 2011

Waltz is the highlight of this glossy but plodding drama, a live wire in a movie that sorely needs a jolt. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Apr 21, 2011

How do I count the ways this movie goes wrong? Read full review

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User Reviews

mact0n

Apr 23, 2011

Good movie, depicts the harshness of live during the 1930's Proof that simple movies without major unnatural computer inhancements are possible today.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

FilmFanForever

Apr 22, 2011

My husband watched the trailer and based on that was happy to take me to see WFE today and he liked it as much as I did. The script made improvements on the book, all the acting was above par, and the sets, locations and costumes couldn't have been better. A very satisfying and moving film.My husband watched the trailer and based on that was happy to take me to see WFE today and he liked it as much as I did. The script made improvements on the book, all the acting was above par, and the sets, locations and costumes couldn't have been better. A very satisfying and moving film. Makes a great date movie, too.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

wingsofabird

Apr 22, 2011

WOW! More than I expected! Great entertaining movie for both men and women. Rob Pattinson just jumps off the screen. He is excellent in this. Christoph plays the villain magnificently. Great film with excellent cinematography and costuming. All around a must see movie.

10 of 10 users found this helpful100

audreythomas25

Mar 6, 2016

A very inspiring love story about two people who fell in love truly. I just feel good watching this kind of movie.

Watch this movie online http://www.watchfree.to/watch-2987b1-Water-for-Elephants-movie-online-free-putlocker.html

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Apr 23, 2017

A stylish period piece that doubles as a mushy and sweet forbidden love affair, Water for Elephants is mostly set on a train. Holding the Benzini Bros Circus as run by a man named August Rosenbluth (Christoph Waltz), this train is also where veterinarian Jacob (Robert Pattinson) meetsA stylish period piece that doubles as a mushy and sweet forbidden love affair, Water for Elephants is mostly set on a train. Holding the Benzini Bros Circus as run by a man named August Rosenbluth (Christoph Waltz), this train is also where veterinarian Jacob (Robert Pattinson) meets August's beautiful wife and star attraction Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). Using a set-up similar to The Notebook with the story of this love affair book-ended with scenes of Jacob telling the story as an old man (Hal Holbrook), Water for Elephants is a visually splendid tale of forbidden love that blends both affair film tropes with male savior tropes and, finally, with soul mate tropes. The final blending of this comes together into a film that may be quite stereotypical and predictable in the end, but is a charmer nonetheless and puts on quite the show.

In recent times, I have come to find a lot of films fall into this "Dual-Risk Love Affair" trope in which two people meet and begin some type of scandalous relationship in which they risk not just being caught, but losing their place in society. These love affairs are short lived and they are broken apart by circumstances and rejected by the communities in which the lovers reside. Yet, during their time together, one location or a series of locations wind up defining their love. That said, the most definitive elements of this are films that have that "dual-risk". This forbidden affair must be hidden due to spouses or society knowing, but also fear of blowback that seems them lose their spots in the world. Water for Elephants' central romance certainly falls into this group of films with an affair taking center stage that is risky due to August finding out. Violently rejecting the love thanks to his goons, August finding out would see Jacob tossed out of the train and out of the only world he really knows after the death of his parents. As such, for Jacob, he risks life and limb to be with Marlena, with their love being defined by the circus and their love of animals. As with other films in this "subgenre" of sorts, Water for Elephants derives romantic tension not just from the forbidden nature of their love, but what it would mean if they were discovered and how it would impact their livelihoods. However, the key is undoubtedly the series of "brief encounters" they share with one another. A momentary dance, bonding over their love of animals, running away from the cops and sharing a kiss, or celebrating Jacob joining the circus, Water for Elephants' love is defined in a series of moments where the two lovers are allowed to embrace their love. Dripping with romantic chemistry between Pattinson and Witherspoon, these moments where they can throw caution into the wind and share a passionate kiss are the real highlight of this romance. The scenes radiate and, for anyone around them, there is no question as to their love for one another. It is a love that is built out of small moments together that grows into something so much more.

While the inherent soul mate nature to that love is gloriously defined and as swoon-inducing as one comes to expect from a romantic film, one hitch in the film is definitely the male savior element. With August being abusive, animal hating, and money hungry, he meets all of the requirements to being a man that has a woman who needs to be "saved". Telling Marlena that she is beautiful and deserves a beautiful life, Jacob embarks on a journey to save her from a "bad boy" and show her what a "nice guy" can do for her. In essence, he is a white knight and she is his damsel in distress. The film's full embrace of this narrative is certainly disappointing to see unfold and really adds an unnecessary "male savior" element to the film that somewhat undermines the beautiful romance is develops in other scenes. It adds tension, sure, but this tension is always a bit silly and leads to coaxing an elephant into an unlikely murder of a man. The climax is mostly maligned with this, leaving the film ending a very sour note in terms of practicality and how cliche its tension had become.

Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto is admittedly the star here though. The man behind the camera for 21 Grams, Brokeback Mountain, Babel, Silence, and Passengers, Prieto is a man who knows how to create striking images. Water for Elephants is no exception with a classic-appearing film that is consistently beautifully lit with vibrant colors that really explode onto the screen. This style not only complements the romance on display, but paints a vivid picture of this 1930s lifestyle on the train. From the drab sequences when they are all poor and struggling to eat to the scenes of joy and celebration that are popping with color when they are on top, Prieto has a keen eye for how to create a shot that both embodies the mood and augments that mood to create an image that really invokes feeling and style.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieGuyBrian

Apr 22, 2011

This melodramatic, big top, forbidden love, three-ring, tearjerker, chick flick is not the greatest show on earth. It is, however, a deeply romantic, beautifully envisioned and passionate ode to the Hollywood of yesteryear. Simply put - and if movies were to mate - it would most certainlyThis melodramatic, big top, forbidden love, three-ring, tearjerker, chick flick is not the greatest show on earth. It is, however, a deeply romantic, beautifully envisioned and passionate ode to the Hollywood of yesteryear. Simply put - and if movies were to mate - it would most certainly be the cinematic love child of THE NOTEBOOK and TITANIC. And if WATER FOR ELEPHANTS were indeed a huge, seagoing passenger vessel - then it's actors on screen chemistry (or huge lack thereof) would be the metaphorical iceberg that started the ship sinking. Good thing it ended when it did...you know, before my 'stupid allergies' starting acting up. *sniff*… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

chocolatekiss

May 12, 2011

How can Hollywood not know these animals were abused. They are always abused. And of course, there is now video to back it up. Good work Reese Witherspoon!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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