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Water for Elephants

2011

Francis Lawrence

Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, James Frain ...

6.2

17,118

Romance. Drama After losing his parents in a car accident, young 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. Based on the acclaimed bestseller. [+]

	Media	Author	Review
		Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune	"The unexpectedly good film version of "Water for Elephants" elevates pure corn to a completely satisfying realm of romantic melodrama (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of five)"
		Claudia Puig USA Today	"This old-fashioned melodrama about a romance set amid the big top is mildly entertaining (...) Water for Elephants has some appealing elements of old-school Hollywood epics (...) Rating: ★★½ (out of four)"
		Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times	"A refreshing interlude before we hurtle into the summer blockbuster season (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of four)"
		Peter Debruge Variety	"A splendid period swooner that delivers classic romance and an indelible insider's view of 1930s circus life"
		Todd McCarthy The Hollywood Reporter	"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"
		Peter Travers Rolling Stone	"Pattinson and Witherspoon smolder under the golden gaze of Rodrigo Prieto's camera. But the story cries out for harsh glare, sexual torment, the acrid smell of sawdust and sweat. (...) Rating: ★★½ (out of four)"

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