Jacob is forced to leave school because his parents die in a car accident. He is left with no home and no money. He jumps on a train at night only to find out that he is on the train of Benzizi Brother’s Most Spectacular Show, a circus. Luckily, he is given a job in the circus and meets Marlena, who is the wife of August, the owner of the circus. August is a very jealous and brutal character, who abuses some of the animals in the circus. This movie tells the tale of Jacob and Marlena’s forbidden relationship.

Jacob is played by the very handsome, Robert Pattinson. Pattinson portrays a very believable and sympathetic character. Beautiful Marlena is played by Reese Witherspoon, who has been seen in many big Hollywood films such as Legally Blonde, Four Christmases and Sweet Home Alabama.

Witherspoon plays a star performer who loves the horses that she performs with. Her performance is somewhat believable; yet her connection with Robert Pattinson isn’t quite there.

Christoph Waltz, who portrayed August, probably had the best performance in the movie. His character was a very frightening, pugnacious man. His brutality towards the animals was almost hard to watch.

Water for Elephants got very mixed reviews. The Hollywood Reporter stated that, “The Reese Witherspoon-Robert Pattinson film will please fans of Sara Gruen’s best seller, but it lacks the vital spark that would have made the drama truly compelling on the screen.” Personally, I think the movie was exceptional. The movie kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want it to end.

If you’re in the mood for a romantic, yet exciting movie then I would recommend that you see Water for Elephants.