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Water for Elephants

  • 2011
  • PG-13
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
122K
YOUR RATING
Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Robert Pattinson, and Tai in Water for Elephants (2011)
A veterinary student (Robert Pattinson) abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet, where he meets animal trainer August (Christoph Waltz) and his wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).
Play trailer2:28
7 Videos
99+ Photos
Period DramaDramaRomance

Jacob takes a job as an animal caretaker in a traveling circus. There he meets Marlena, a beautiful circus performer. Their shared compassion for a special elephant Rosie leads to love, but ... Read allJacob takes a job as an animal caretaker in a traveling circus. There he meets Marlena, a beautiful circus performer. Their shared compassion for a special elephant Rosie leads to love, but Marlena's cruel husband stands in their way.Jacob takes a job as an animal caretaker in a traveling circus. There he meets Marlena, a beautiful circus performer. Their shared compassion for a special elephant Rosie leads to love, but Marlena's cruel husband stands in their way.

  • Director
    • Francis Lawrence
  • Writers
    • Richard LaGravenese
    • Sara Gruen
  • Stars
    • Robert Pattinson
    • Reese Witherspoon
    • Christoph Waltz
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    122K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Francis Lawrence
    • Writers
      • Richard LaGravenese
      • Sara Gruen
    • Stars
      • Robert Pattinson
      • Reese Witherspoon
      • Christoph Waltz
    • 305User reviews
    • 271Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos7

    Trailer #2: Water for Elephants
    Trailer 2:28
    Trailer #2: Water for Elephants
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:59
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:59
    Water for Elephants: Trailer #1
    "I'd Hate to Think of It"
    Clip 1:12
    "I'd Hate to Think of It"
    "I'm a Star Attraction"
    Clip 1:20
    "I'm a Star Attraction"
    "Just Come with Me"
    Clip 0:57
    "Just Come with Me"
    "Our Salvation"
    Clip 0:55
    "Our Salvation"

    Photos113

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    + 107
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Robert Pattinson
    Robert Pattinson
    • Jacob
    Reese Witherspoon
    Reese Witherspoon
    • Marlena
    Christoph Waltz
    Christoph Waltz
    • August
    Paul Schneider
    Paul Schneider
    • Charlie
    Jim Norton
    Jim Norton
    • Camel
    Hal Holbrook
    Hal Holbrook
    • Old Jacob
    Mark Povinelli
    Mark Povinelli
    • Kinko…
    Richard Brake
    Richard Brake
    • Grady
    Stephen Monroe Taylor
    Stephen Monroe Taylor
    • Wade
    Ken Foree
    Ken Foree
    • Earl
    Scott MacDonald
    Scott MacDonald
    • Blackie
    James Frain
    James Frain
    • Rosie's Caretaker
    Sam Anderson
    Sam Anderson
    • Mr. Hyde
    John Aylward
    John Aylward
    • Mr. Erwin
    Brad Greenquist
    Brad Greenquist
    • Mr. Robinson
    Tim Guinee
    Tim Guinee
    • Diamond Joe
    Donna W. Scott
    Donna W. Scott
    • Barbara
    E.E. Bell
    E.E. Bell
    • Cecil the Barker
    • Director
      • Francis Lawrence
    • Writers
      • Richard LaGravenese
      • Sara Gruen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews305

    6.9122.4K
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    Featured reviews

    9Nefi

    very fine drama; old style and that's why it is so appealing

    Water For Elephants got released here a full week ahead of the US and first let me indulge in the joy of being able to review such a highly anticipated film before my fellow American film-loving counterparts.

    The film completely fulfilled my expectations. It is a well scripted, meticulously shot and finely acted period drama, the likes of which are increasingly less to come by at the movies these days. A big congratulations to all those involved with the production for having the confidence to delve into this venture. Actually I am very curious about its box-office. Last year was a surprisingly profitable year for adult dramas and if that is any indication, this fine film should continue the same trend.

    Water For Elephants really impresses with the production design, atmosphere, costumes and stunts. Most of the time I felt like I was watching a classic film made during the studio era; it looked that authentic and faultless. The three main actors all seem satisfied for having such meaty parts and deliver more than satisfactory performances. Robert Pattinson shines and proves that he is capable as a serious actor. Reese Witherspoon has always been a true professional and here with her stunts demonstrates that again. She also fits surprisingly well to the 1930s platinum blonde beauty type. Christopher Waltz is a wonderful actor and here it becomes very clear that his success in Inglorious Basterds was not a one-off. The story is very emotional and while it touches the heart romantically, it also manages to lay down a heretofore unseen dark aspect of old era circus entertainment in particular and also crowd entertainment as a whole. I almost wished for a three hour epic after it ended; it left me wanting more. The whole thing was really interesting.

    All in all a wonderful and deeply satisfying experience at the movies, well worth every dime. Go see it so that adult dramas of this caliber (in terms of star power, production budget and subsequent attention to detail) could continue to be made.
    8kalel41

    A beautiful film, less depressing than the book I believe

    Having read a few reviews of this depression era set novel by Sara Gruen, I was apprehensive to see the film. The readers and critics had said it was too depressing and didn't end well. I'm happy to say the film is not bad at all. It captures the mood of the 1930s, and we the audience really get a sense of what it must have been like to live in that time in history. (Yes we went through our own depression but it was quite different and much more difficult back then.) The film centers around Jacob (Robert Pattinson) a student of veterinary science at Cornell, who gives up his education and runs away after his parents die in a car accident. He stumbles upon a traveling circus, where he is taken in by riff raffs and other stowaways. They have all become a part of the circus ensemble in order to make ends meet. Jacob eventually meets their ringleader August, played by Christolph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) and his beautiful wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). August takes Jacob under his wing initially, but later Jacob learns his true colors. I do not wish to give away too much of the storyline but something tells me people will like this movie as much as the book if not more. I think the film makers have managed to make a film about the depression era without it being depressing. The film has an epic feel to it. It's, emotional, inspiring, romantic, and overall it makes for a very good drama. Even the ending is uplifting. The cast is wonderful as well. Robert Pattinson holds his own against two Oscar winners. It's great to see Reese Witherspoon back in action and in top form. There aren't enough great things I can say about Christoph Waltz. He balances the line between being dangerous and comedic with razor sharp precision, and is very intimidating…his performance is brilliant. It's great to see a film with real sets, and gritty and flawed characters, rather than imaginative CG rendered places and creatures. Even the train, (where a large part of the film takes place) feels alive with all its moving parts…it has a personality of its own. It's a surprising film from director Francis Lawrence whose previous films include "Constantine" and "I am Legend." It's clear that the team he works with has a great sense of capturing a story's mood, time, and place. "Water for Elephants" is a beautiful, moving, and entertaining film. Go see it! http://tickingticket.blogspot.com/
    7SnoopyStyle

    No chemistry with Witherspoon and Pattinson

    An old Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) recounts his life in the Benzini Circus and remembers the infamous disaster in 1931. Jacob was studying veterinary medicine when his parents die in a car accident and he loses everything. He literally runs away to the circus, and becomes entangled in a love triangle with the volatile owner August (Christoph Waltz) and his wife/lead attraction Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).

    The circus storyline is fascinating. It can get deeply disturbing. Waltz has the intimidating persona locked down. The only missing element is the chemistry between Witherspoon and Pattinson. The love triangle is a melodrama to begin with. With such limited chemistry, it really degrades the movie at its center. At least the movie around the center is great.
    9GlimmerBunny

    A truly spectacular movie!

    OK, I'll try to tell you a bit of what I thought about "Water for Elephants", without spoiling anything. I have not read the novel (even though I plan to do it now) so I'm only offering my views on the movie.

    First of all: It's amazingly beautiful. The costumes and sets are gorgeous, the cinematography is exquisite, the animals are cute (especially Rosie the elephant) and the three leads are very easy on the eyes as well.

    Robert Pattinson was actually quite good. This was a surprise to me, since I didn't really think he was anything special in any of the Twilight movies or "Remember Me". He looked very appropriate for the time the movie was set in, and even though I love Emile Hirsch (who auditioned for Jacob too) I'm confident that Robert was the best choice there was for this role, it was perfect for him. Hal Holbrook was also very fitting for the role of older Jacob. The two actors really made me believe that they were the same person in different stages of his life.

    Reese Witherspoon was okay. She looked beautiful, was charming and cute but it felt like something was missing - however, I can't think of any other actress I would have liked better in the role, so I came to the conclusion that it was probably the character Marlena that was a little bland, not Reese.

    But the true star of this movie was Christoph Waltz. I may be a bit biased since I loved him in "Inglorious Basterds", but he was even more perfect in this movie. His portrayal of August was amazing, he made him likable and interesting and I was always compelled by his scenes. The character reminded me a lot of Miles in "King Kong" (played by Jack Black), a character that also wanted fame and success more than anything and used questionable and even cruel methods to get it. He was terrifying in some scenes too, but always believable. Also, in the beginning of the movie i really felt the chemistry between August and Marlena, which made the character even more interesting; however, I did feel like Jacob and Marlena had chemistry too, and in my opinion this way it was more realistic (both men loved her and she also cared about both of them).

    I loved the movie, and I really recommend it to everyone. I would sincerely give it 10/10 stars. Of course there was some parts of the movie I didn't like (particularly towards the end of it), but overall it was a magical, spectacular and epic period movie, and I can't wait to see it again!
    9catarinaloss

    One Spectacular Show

    Readers, fear not. This is one adaption that lives up to the book.

    Water for Elephants is pure beauty. Despite the fact that it takes place during the Depression, it makes you almost wish you lived during the '30s.

    One reason is the costumes. They are wonderfully done, as well as the makeup. Another is the eye candy. No, I'm not talking about Robert Pattinson(though he looks as gorgeous as ever). I'm talking about the breathtaking cinematography, courtesy of Rodrigo Prieto.

    While the leads(Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz) all turn in GREAT performances, the real star here is Tai the elephant. She plays Rosie, the newest addition to The Benzini Bros. Most Spectacular Show on Earth, who is brought in in hopes of taking The Benzini Bros. circus to a new level(particularly to the level of Ringling Bros.).

    As per usual, there are quite a few changes that may or may not irritate the readers. It all depends on the person. One that I felt was an improvement upon the book, however, was the combining of August and Uncle Al. I honestly didn't miss Al one bit.

    Water for Elephants is a beautiful, enchanting, mesmerizing must-see.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The owner of the circus at the beginning mentions the Hagenbeck-Wallace wreck and the Hartford fire. On June 22, 1918, a troop train crashed into the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train after the driver fell asleep. The crash killed 86 people and injured 127. On July 6, 1944, a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey big top circus tent caught fire during a performance in Hartford CT, killing 169 people and injuring over 700.
    • Goofs
      Rex the lion is supposed to be without teeth, but in many shots can be seen with all of his teeth intact.
    • Quotes

      Jacob: You're a beautiful woman, you deserve a beautiful life. Nothing less.

    • Crazy credits
      In 'The producers wish to thank' section of the credits, the Circus World Museum is listed as being in Barbaroo, WI. The actual town is Baraboo, WI.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.111 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Ciribiribin
      Written by George Wilson and Alberto Pestalozza

      Courtesy of APM

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    FAQ23

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 22, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Polish
    • Also known as
      • Agua para elefantes
    • Filming locations
      • Chickamauga, Georgia, USA
    • Production companies
      • Fox 2000 Pictures
      • 3 Arts Entertainment
      • Flashpoint Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $38,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $58,709,717
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $16,842,353
      • Apr 24, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $117,094,902
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Datasat
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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