By Kate Rodger
Water for Elephants is based on the much-loved book of the same name, set in depression-era America.
Twilight hottie Robert Pattinson is Jacob, who finds himself running away with the circus, and on track to running away with the circus-owner's wife.
Oscar-winners Reece Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz are the ill-matched husband and wife. He a ruthless drunk, she his main attraction.
The arrival of Jacob, and the subsequent arrival of Rosie the circus elephant, changes everything. All their fates intertwined.
The pull of Pattinson will undoubtedly see a hardcore Twihard audience for this film, along with the popularity of the book, and while I've never been able to see it myself, Reece Witherspoon too has a big box office pull.
There's no faulting the lush look and feel of the era and its delivery with this film, but at two hours this story limps to the finish line losing all its impact. Christoph Waltz towers over his co-stars, who lack the chemistry to drive their romance home.
Two and a half stars.
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Water for Elephants
:: Director: Francis Lawrence
:: Starring:Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook, James Frain, Paul Schneider
:: Running Time: 120 mins
:: Rating: M - contains violence
:: Release Date: May 5, 2011
:: Trailer: Watch here
