Plot: Vet student Jacob (Robert Pattinson) joins the circus after his parents die suddenly. He falls in with circus boss August (Christoph Waltz) and his performer-wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). August is under pressure to save the circus from bankruptcy, and he is also brutal and jealous. Water for Elephants becomes a romantic triangle with a depression era circus theme.
Review: Water for Elephants is uneven with a painfully slow introduction. So slow that I was thinking I'd sneak out and watching Ringo.
After Christoph Waltz got in the story it got better. He has such great intensity. Reese did a nice job. I was not thrilled by Robert Pattinson. The sound track was forgettable.
Director Francis Lawrence needs to get prodded with the bull hook to keep the story movie moving. He had a couple good moments: he made raising the circus tent at the beginning seem epic, and he could make Jacob and Marlena kisses and near-kisses so dramatic and evocative.
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz
Directed by: Francis Lawrence, based on the novel by Sara Gruen
Rating: 2.0 stars - a very slow start and a smattering of good performances
More: Animal lovers will like this movie. There are great horse and elephant scenes. Although the animals have hard times, the characters are always trying to help them.
Even more: Who knew that circuses were so violent? How many guys got killed?
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