Release date: 2011
Genre: Drama | Romance

My rating: ★★★★★
Bottom line: If it weren’t for Michelle, I never would have seen this great movie.

I’ll admit: I’m usually quick to steer clear of movies in the drama and romance aisles. It’s not that I think they are bad movies, I just generally don’t enjoy films from those genres. I would have taken one look at the cover of this DVD and moved right along. But Michelle had read the book and was really excited about seeing the movie (we missed seeing it in the theater), so I sucked it up and took one for the team.

Much to my surprise, Water For Elephants is both an intriguing and enjoyable watch! It stars a young man named Jacob Jankoski (played by Robert Pattinson) who, after his parent’s pass away, runs off and joins the circus. There he meets ringmaster and boss August (played by Christoph Waltz) and his lovely wife Marlena (played by Reese Witherspoon). Jacob becomes their new best friend, and it isn’t long before he begins to have strong feelings for Marlena.

Maybe its because the movie is filled with cool animals, but the film had my attention the entire time. It’s your classic story about a guy who falls in love with a woman he can’t have, but told in a way that keeps you wondering what will happen next. It’s a romantic drama filled with violence, suspense, love, hatred and a big circus elephant.