Water for Elephants
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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 148 Ratings

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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)

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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. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    Apr 22, 2011
    75
    The film has a pleasing retro-ness that often mitigates the dullness.
  3. 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.
  4. 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: 52 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 67
  3. Negative: 6 out of 67
  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
  2. RaysNBeanies
    8
    Christoph Waltz absolutely made the movie. I was expecting this from the start, but I was also surprised to see that Robert has somewhat gotten better, even though he could have been a little bit more emotional. Not that he wasn't in all the movie, because there were some scenes in which I was thrilled with him. I don't think it deserves a 5.3, it was entertaining, it was beautiful, great actors, and come on, how come you couldn't love Tai, the Elephant.… Expand
  3. Tokyochuchu
    7
    Water for Elephants is a pretty good movie. The love triangle aspects are easily the weakest elements but are thankfully not too overpowering or heavy handed. The real delights of Water for Elephants are it's excellent period detailing, creeping tension and decent performances.… Expand
  4. JTKelley
    4
    While the source material was quality, this film doesn't quite pan out, as Robert Pattinson's performance is flat, while he and Reese Witherspoon have the collective romantic chemistry of a dirty dish towel. That said, Christoph Waltz's deliciously evil performance counter-balances quite a few missteps.… Expand

See all 67 User Reviews

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