Genre: Drama/ Fantasy
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones, Lauren Lee Smith
Description: At a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor (Sally Hawkins) forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.
Review: “The Shape of Water” is a fairytale, a version of “Beauty and the Beast” and a reverse version of “The Little Mermaid”. Nothing wrong with that, because there is more to it then just that. Guillermo del Toro’s story of the special band between a vulnerable woman and a amphibious creature has so much depth and substance. And the real question here is, who is the actual monster? The mysterious creature we know nothing about, the scientists, the government?
A central theme here is, when you’re different, you just don’t belong. And that’s why the aquatic creature and cleaner Elisa, who can’t speak, feel so connected. They don’t belong, they are the odd ones out in a crowd. They are different.
But Guillermo del Toro goes much deeper. “The Shape of Water” is set in the early 60s. a period where the Russians were the enemies, people look down on the black community and homosexuality is still not fully accepted. And when these elements pass in the film, it strengthens the bond between Elisa and the creature.
Because society is so hard on them, Elisa and her gay friend Giles have to fight even harder. But there is still room to dream. Like Giles, who buys the most disgusting pie over and over again, just to have a chat with that handsome bartender.
Elisa’s friend and co-worker Zelda is her voice. She is sassy and doesn’t leave anything unspoken. But at home she has a man who doesn’t do a thing and she also suffers under the white doctrine.
“The Shape of Water” is at its best when Elisa seeks contact with the creature. It starts with a look in its eyes, then feeding him a hard boiled egg and followed by light touching and learning him sign language.
Del Toro also pays a homage to the golden years of Hollywood. Giles watches and listens to the stars and composer Alexander Desplat composed a beautiful score.
Doug Jones was the man who had to sit in make-up for hours to become the creature in the water. Del Toro was inspired by “Creature from the Black Lagoon”.
“The Shape of Water” is nominated for thirteen Academy Awards, for me not the typical Oscar movie. Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy drama, a fairytale. This is why I love movies.
Rating: 5 / 5
