SummaryWater 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 -- includ... Read More
Directed By:Francis Lawrence
Written By:Richard LaGravenese, Sara Gruen
Water for Elephants
Metascore
Mixed or Average
52
User score
Generally Favorable
6.9
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
52
46% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
40% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
14% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Apr 21, 2011
90
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.
Apr 21, 2011
75
Steamy and sexy with a smack of sadism, the movie is a throwback to old-school Hollywood action/romance.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.9
61% Positive
124 Ratings
124 Ratings
31% Mixed
63 Ratings
63 Ratings
8% Negative
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
Dec 28, 2019
10
One of my favourite movies. I seen it in theatres about nine years ago now. I didn't even know what it was about. And it's honestly one of the greatest surprises I ever got going to the movies. Its a story that speaks to me. Not knowing what the future holds. Being in a tough spot and starting a journey as a young man. Having some great and some bad things come your way. But its a story that is a good reminder to never give up.
Jan 15, 2012
10
Considering I am a huge Robert Pattinson fan, I heard about this movie and decided I had to read the book before seeing it. The book being phenomenal, I bought the movie and watched it. It was fabulous. I think Rob just gets better and better with each movie that he is in, and of course Reese was perfect as Marlena. A love story set in the 1930s, it was the tale as old as time story of forbidden love, but done in such a unique way. They really did the book justice, and I was surprised about that. All of the actors played there parts incredibly.
Apr 25, 2011
63
Sadly, passion and romance are two ingredients missing from this melodrama, which does an excellent job of re-creating the Depression-era circus business.
Apr 22, 2011
60
The primary drawback is the lack of chemistry between the leads, Reese Witherspoon and "Twilight's" Robert Pattinson.
Apr 21, 2011
50
The camera, costumes, and art direction do everything right. Too much so. The movie strips away both the grand weirdness of the circus and the dire desolation of the Depression. Diane Arbus and Dorothea Lange are exchanged for Vanity Fair.
Apr 26, 2011
40
Without larger-than-life drama or a steady stream of historical detail, it's merely a gargantuan production that's been lavished on a story hardly worth trumpeting.
Dec 10, 2011
10
Great adaptation from the book - I really was surprised!
This movie has it all: drama, the good and the bad, love, hope and grief, sweet animals, humour and the most important, the movie captures the spirit of the time, even in this little world of a circus.
costumes, equipment, dialect and wording - everything fits perfectly. to be highlighted are the performances of christof waltz and rpattz!
well done movie.
Oct 15, 2013
6
"Water for Elephants" could be more than it is. A beautiful story about love. Circus is stage, it has many colours. Young man loves to older woman than him. It has an interesting story and screenplay but...Robert Pattinson has no charm with Reese Witherspoon. Pattinson is a good actor but there are no chemical link with her. It's a pain becauses this love story I really loved it.
Nov 24, 2011
6
Same old story, water for Elephants was just fine. Characters were good enough but story was something, i would say, boring or at least close to that. It was one of those typically predictable movies.
Jan 27, 2012
3
This movie is pretty wretched. The acting is bad. The plot is thin. The love is stale. The elephant is . . . well I guess I kind of liked the elephant.
May 12, 2011
1
Here is something not new. The elephants were abused in training so they would know how to act abused. Charming.
Production Company:
- Fox 2000 Pictures
- 3 Arts Entertainment
- Flashpoint Entertainment
- Dune Entertainment
- Ingenious Media
- Big Screen Productions
- Netter Productions
Release Date:Apr 22, 2011
Duration:2 h 2 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:Life is the most spectacular show on earth.
Awards
Teen Choice Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Satellite Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Rembrandt Awards
• 3 Nominations
