Set mostly in the 1930s, Water for Elephants—based on the best-seller by Sara Gruen—stars Robert Pattinson as veterinary student Jacob, who quits school after a family tragedy, decides to ride the rails and unwittingly jumps a circus train. There he finds ringleader August, played by Oscar winner Christoph Waltz, and falls for his wife, Marlena, played by a pin-curled Reese Witherspoon.