Movie Review: Water For Elephants

   Did I say in my Crazy Stupid Love post that I was more likely to watch movies like Transformers? You're probably thinking I lied now since my next movie review is Water for Elephants. I saw these movies months apart of though. I can't be faulted for my love of circus themed stories though.
   This stories is told from Jacob's perspective. He is working on his degree in veterinary until his parents die in an accident, and he has to drop out to make ends meet. After losing his house he goes on the road, and finds the circus, which takes him in in hoping his veterinarian skills can contribute to maintaining the animals. At the circus he meets Marlena, who is the circus owner's wife. Not too long after meeting each other they find it more difficult to resist the chemistry they feel with each other.
   The most beautiful part of this movie are the circus scenes. The director goes all out to capture the vibe we all dream that the circus had when it was in it's heights during the 1930s. The acting is well done, particularly by Christopher Waltz who captures the love, and hate feelings his character struggles with.  Rob Pattinson also surprisingly did a good job in his role, and Reese Witherspoon fit her character as expected.
   The thing that was lacking was the chemistry between the two leads. It felt like the actors were struggling to get past their age difference. There was a time when Reese Witherspoon did play Rob Pattinson's mom in a movie! Though they acted well it felt they were forcing through to find chemistry. Maybe that's the way it was supposed to be considering they were a forbidden romance?
I enjoyed this movie, and I look forward to watching it again. I only wish I had read the book before watching instead of after. Check out the movie at Amazon.