This is just going to be a quick review of the film as I wrote a whole wordy draft and then it disappeared (yay) but I still wanted to talk about this film on here.
The Shape of Water is a fantasy thriller by Mexican directior Guillermo Del Toro, famed for his monster-centric fairytales – perhaps the most well-known of which being Pan’s Labyrinth. The film is considered to be a frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars and has recently taken the top prizes for film and directing at the Critic’s Choice Awards, and nabbed the directing award at the Golden Globes.
The film follows Eliza (Sally Hawkins), a mute janitor who works in a top-secret government facility that has recently captured an ‘asset’ – an amphibian-style creature that the Americans believe can give them the edge over the Russians in the Space Race (the film is set in 1962 during the Cold War). Eliza falls in love with this creature and hatches an elaborate escape plan after its life is threatened, with the help of her co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer), friend Giles (Richard Jenkins) and scientist Robert (Michael Stuhlbarg). However, her plan is soon compromised by the legitimately menacing Colonel Strickland, played by the ever-brilliant Michael Shannon.
Despite the traditionalist nature of the forbidden love story at the film’s heart, Del Toro (along with cinematographer Dan Laustsen) created a visually stunning world here that is wholly unique. The individuality of this film can be jarring at first, and I spent the early moments of the film struggling to empathise with the characters or narrative. However, as the film progresses it develops warmth and a sense of excitement that is impossible to not be charmed by, and the viewer is reminded of the emotion at the movie’s core. This is reflected visually by the evolution of Laustsen’s cinematography, which transitions from cooler blue tones to rich golden colours as Eliza’s feelings for the creature develop. Alexandre Desplat’s score is also a highlight of the film, as it is equal parts playful as it is romantic, and transitions well to enhance suspense during the film’s more action-packed sequences. Del Toro’s films have always had a childlike wonder and fairy-tale sensibility to them and The Shape of Water is no exception, but there are also some heavy themes here that allow to film to appeal to a wider audience.
The acting in this film is also terrific, with Sally Hawkins’s ability to portray such a range of emotion without the use of her voice astounding. She approached the role with a fascinating blend of fragility and fearlessness that would make her an entirely worthy Oscar winner if she can edge out Frances McDormand. Michael Shannon, to me, was the other star of this film and it is a shame that he is going largely unrecognised for this role. His ability to play such a genuinely terrifying villain that is also innately human is insane, and I genuinely enjoyed watching his performance. Spencer and Jenkins also function well here as Eliza’s sidekicks, with both bringing necessary comic relief and comfort to an otherwise intense film, and I hope to see their names come the Oscar nominations on January 23rd.
Overall, this film is a visual spectacule that benefits from a talented cast and an enthusiastic director, even if the narrative is fairly simplistic. I’m giving this film 4 out of 5 popcorns.
Girl with the Popcorn 