DVDs in Review

Water for Elephants (2011)

Title: Water for Elephants (2011)

Release date: 5 September 2011

Certificate:12

Format: Blu-ray

RRP: £24.99

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Hayley Merrick

Set in the Great Depression of the 1930s, Water for Elephants tells the tale of young Jacob Jankoski; a Polish-American veterinary student whose life falls apart when his parents are killed in a car crash.

When he learns that they spent all the money they had on his Ivy League tuition, Jacob is left homeless and penniless and has no choice but to set off in search of a new life.

He eventually finds work as a vet for the Benzini Brothers travelling circus and meets a host of colourful characters, including tyrannical animal trainer and ring master August (Christoph Waltz) and his beautiful wife Marlene (Reese Witherspoon).

Based on the novel of the same name by Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants is tastefully told and beautifully filmed, however it does lack a certain spark that would have made it a truly compelling on-screen drama.

Christoph Waltz fits into his role as the unstable, fear-instilling ring master perfectly and, while at first Witherspoon seemed an odd choice for the role, she does make it work alongside the wonderful Pattinson, who truly excels with his performance.

Overall, it's a heart-warming film which is definitely worth seeing; it's different from everything else that's on offer this month and we think you'll be pleasantly surprised.