Water for Elephants

I FINALLY got around to watching the movie adaptation of Water for Elephants, starring Robert I'd absolutely loved the book when I read it, and I was excited to see the production values and the performances in the film.
Pattinson (Jacob) and Reese Witherspoon (Marlena).

I was not disappointed. First, the costumes! As Marlena, the star of the circus, Witherspoon's costumes were amazing. They had a vintage look, almost as if her character had made them/adapted them from evening dresses of the period. And all of the trappings of the circus itself maintained that wonderful period feel. I loved watching the big tent go up, seeing how the circus turned itself into a mobile city, marveling along with the characters at the different acts in the traveling show. Overall, I thought production values were very high here, with great attention to detail on what must have been a very challenging shoot. (Especially considering all the animals they captured on film.)

Performances were solid, with Pattinson and Witherspoon serving as the glue that held the film together. Cristoph Waltz gave a convincing turn as Witherspoon's dark husband, August, and Hal Holbrook was an absolute delight as an older Jacob.

If you haven't gotten around to seeing this movie, and especially if you loved the book, make some time. The movie is a sensory delight, and a very enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.