The Shape of Water – Movie Review

The Shape of Water is a 2017 American romantic dark fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor.

WHAT’S THE MOVIE ABOUT

Set in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1962 (Cold War-era America), the story follows a mute cleaner, Elisa (played by Hawkins), at a high-security government laboratory who falls in love with a captured part-human, part-amphibian creature. Now, it is a race against time and American and Russian foes alike to save this beautiful creature from a brutal death. Does Elisa succeed? Watch the film to find out.

The Shape of Water – Movie review

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

CAST

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  Michael Shannon as as Richard Strickland, a United States Colonel in charge of the project to study the creature.

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  Richard Jenkins as Giles, Elisa’s close friend.

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  Octavia Spencer as Zelda, Elisa’s colleague and close friend, also her interpreter.

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  Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito, a mute cleaner who works at a secret government laboratory.

MY THOUGHTS

Sally Hawkins delivers a heartfelt performance in del Toro’s The Shape of Water. Hawkins deftly brings out her character’s loneliness and later, helplessness when confronted with the knowledge of what is going to happen to the creature she has fallen in love with.

She is ably supported by a talented ensemble cast. However, I felt, Octavia Spencer had nothing new to offer. Zelda was a similar kind of role she had played in The Help.

The film’s strengths are its splendid CGI effects and an unusual concept that is executed superbly. Well, not so much as unusual but it is rather an ethereal treatment of old wine in a new bottle. The classic princess-meets-the-prince story is given a twist by introducing sci-fi elements.  Further, the princess being a mute person results in an emotional film. 

It is a romantic, fantasy, musical film with nods to some Hollywood greats. There are some beautiful scenes especially at the beginning and the end that adds a surreal touch to this dark movie. I, especially, loved the dance between the creature and Elsa.

Verdict: Watchable

If you need a quick watch to make you forget the current situation we are in, watch The Shape of Water.

The Shape of Water