Water for Elephants
Rent & Buy
In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena.
What critics thought
Mixed-to-middling reviews greeted this adaptation of Sara Gruen's circus novel, with critics broadly agreeing that the lush period production design outshines its central romance — the leads' lack of chemistry is the most consistent complaint. The film's supporting cast, particularly Christoph Waltz, drew more praise than the love story meant to anchor everything.
“The Reese Witherspoon-Robert Pattinson film will please fans of Sara Gruen's best-seller, but it lacks the vital spark that would have made the drama truly compelling on the screen.”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
“The proceedings get so slow and saccharine that viewers will relish the film's moments of redeeming idiocy.”
Richard Corliss·Time
“The affectionate but turbulent dynamic among [Christoph] Waltz, Pattinson, and Witherspoon is endlessly watchable.”
Mick LaSalle·San Francisco Chronicle
“This is good sound family entertainment, a safe PG-13 but not a dumb one, and it's a refreshing interlude before we hurtle into the summer blockbuster season.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Francis LawrenceDirector
Robert PattinsonJacob Jankowski
Reese WitherspoonMarlena Rosenbluth
Christoph WaltzAugust Rosenbluth
Paul SchneiderCharlie
Jim NortonCamel
Hal HolbrookOld Jacob
Donna W. ScottBarbara
Richard BrakeGrady
Stephen Monroe TaylorWade
Mark PovinelliKinko / Walter
Ken ForeeEarl
Scott MacDonaldBlackie
James Newton HowardComposer
Richard LaGraveneseWriter
Rodrigo PrietoCinematographyWater for Elephants
In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena.
What critics thought
Mixed-to-middling reviews greeted this adaptation of Sara Gruen's circus novel, with critics broadly agreeing that the lush period production design outshines its central romance — the leads' lack of chemistry is the most consistent complaint. The film's supporting cast, particularly Christoph Waltz, drew more praise than the love story meant to anchor everything.
“The Reese Witherspoon-Robert Pattinson film will please fans of Sara Gruen's best-seller, but it lacks the vital spark that would have made the drama truly compelling on the screen.”
Todd McCarthy·The Hollywood Reporter
“The proceedings get so slow and saccharine that viewers will relish the film's moments of redeeming idiocy.”
Richard Corliss·Time
“The affectionate but turbulent dynamic among [Christoph] Waltz, Pattinson, and Witherspoon is endlessly watchable.”
Mick LaSalle·San Francisco Chronicle
“This is good sound family entertainment, a safe PG-13 but not a dumb one, and it's a refreshing interlude before we hurtle into the summer blockbuster season.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Drama, Romance
Cast & Crew
Francis LawrenceDirectorRobert PattinsonJacob JankowskiReese WitherspoonMarlena RosenbluthChristoph WaltzAugust RosenbluthPaul SchneiderCharlieJim NortonCamelHal HolbrookOld JacobDonna W. ScottBarbaraRichard BrakeGradyStephen Monroe TaylorWadeMark PovinelliKinko / WalterKen ForeeEarlScott MacDonaldBlackieJames Newton HowardComposerRichard LaGraveneseWriterRodrigo PrietoCinematographyRent & Buy