With: Pattinson, Witherspoon, Waltz,
James FrainDirected by: Francis Lawrence120 minRated PG-13
Inspired by a great story and wonderful setting, "Water for Elephants" seems like a version of "The Notebook" with some elephants thrown in. The film would be a decent pre-summer movie if not for the lack of chemistry between the two protagonists, Pattinson and Witherspoon. Alec Brodsky
This film made me cry, and it wasn't because Pattinson tried his hand at real acting. "Water for Elephants" lived up to the emotional complexity of its literary predecessor, portraying characters of flawed, passionate intensity. The violent world of the competitive circus came malevolently alive, whipping humans and animals around in the chaos of its three rings. The film effectively inspired empathy in the viewer for the suffering of Pattinson, Witherspoon and Rosie, and for the joy they felt when they overcame their struggle. Rachel Carter
"Water for Elephants" has all the makings of a cliche an earnest hero who is perpetually in the right place at the right time, a love story with minimal development and maximum eye-gazing and a villain with a vaguely ominous accent. Despite this, "Water for Elephants" manages to be a solidly entertaining movie with an unexpected grittiness seldom found in the "romantic flashback" genre. Perhaps most surprisingly, Pattinson proves he can act. Lauren Sarner
