Pulling in 17.5 million at the box office, Water for Elephants is quickly becoming one of the top movies for Spring 2011. Based on best-selling novel by Sara Gruen, the movie presents forbidden love and the fun of the circus in a so-so way.

After his parents die in a car accident, veterinary school student Jacob (Robert Pattinson) becomes part of the Benzini Brothers circus out of luck. He soon falls in love with star performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), who is married to the head animal trainer, August (Christoph Waltz). As someone who thoroughly enjoyed the novel, Water for Elephants did not live up to expectations, but was not a total let-down, either.

Everything from the circus scenes to the romance between Jacob and Marlena needed to be bigger. More of the movie took place on the train rather than at the actual circus, and most of the action scene stopped right before they became exciting. Pattinson and Witherspoon also didn’t have on-screen chemistry, leaving their love for each other unbelievable. Pattinson’s lack of personality, the age gap between the actors, and dry moments of interaction caused their romance to fall short.

Water for Elephants has it’s positives as well. Rosie the Elephant soon became the star of the movie, and I found myself having more of a connection with her than with either of the main characters. The movie is also entertaining for anyone from teenager years to senior citizens. From a historical standpoint, it is satisfying.