Water for Elephants (2011)

Told in flashback by an old man who twice worked for the circus, Water for Elephants is a romantic drama set in the 1930s that tells the story of a circus whose run ended in disaster and a married star circus performer named Marlena developing a relationship with a former veterinarian student-turned-laborer/vet named Jacob for the traveling show while sharing compassion for the animals, in particular a remarkable elephant called Rosie. The circus is run by a violent and often drunken man and his henchmen who abuses his wife, the animals, and the majority of the employees, causing tensions to mount and endangering the show. Reece Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson star as the lovers while Christopher Waltz plays the desperate and menacing Ringmaster, August. Is there a chance for Marlene and Jacob to be together? Can they and Rosie have a better life beyond the Big Top? A bit slow at times, Water for Elephants remains compelling as a look into a time when "running away with the circus" was possible, the cost of fame was high and one's fortunes could change in an instant. If there's a major issue with Water for Elephants, it's in the lack of sparks between its leads-Reese and Robert as Marlene and Jacob act ably enough but never seem to be passionate, which undermines their onscreen relationship. Fans of circuses be forewarned: This is not a happy circus; there are scenes of violence, including fights, abuse towards animals, and mayhem.

Erik M.