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Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants Image
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Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 133 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Christoph Waltz, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson
  • Summary: Water 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 -- including the wrath of Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August -- Jacob and Marlena find lifelong love. (20th Century Fox) … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 35
  3. Negative: 5 out of 35
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    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.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Angie Errigo
    May 2, 2011
    60
    Familiar but enjoyable. Not being funny, the elephant (Rosie, played by nine-foot enchantress Tai) is the real star as the most moving and only joyful presence in sight.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    Apr 22, 2011
    38
    Less fun than any circus movie I've ever seen - and I've seen lots. Maybe they should send in the clowns.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 63
  3. Negative: 6 out of 63
  1. wingsofabird
    10
    WOW! More than I expected! Great entertaining movie for both men and women. Rob Pattinson just jumps off the screen. He is excellent in this. Christoph plays the villain magnificently. Great film with excellent cinematography and costuming. All around a must see movie.… Expand
    • 10 of 10 users said yes
  2. csw12
    5
    Water for elephants is a nice looking film but i couldn't get over the fact that the casting in this movie couldn't have been worst. I also started to lose interest in the last 30 minutes because of how boring it was.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Trev29
    3
    Such a corny movie. The entire set up was there except it just didn't deliver. The acting was pretty bad, and it wasn't as magical or exciting as I was expecting. I just can't get over how staged and fake everything was.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 63 User Reviews

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