Elisa is a mute, isolated woman who works as a cleaning lady in a
hidden, high-security government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore. Her life changes
forever when she discovers the lab's classified secret -- a mysterious, scaled
creature from South America that lives in a water tank. As Elisa develops a unique bond with her
new friend, she soon learns that its fate and very survival lies in the hands
of a hostile government agent and a marine biologist.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Release Date: Dec 1, 2017
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon,
Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, Octavia Spencer
Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity,
violence and language
Runtime: 2 hr. 3 min.
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Review:
The Shape of Water is a lovely modern day fable
brought to life by Guillermo
del Toro. It’s a fascinating and elegant
film that’s got a hopeful sensibility running throughout its runtime. Guillermo del Toro’s film is visually
striking to look at and engaging throughout.
The story paints in broad strokes with most of the characters feeling
more like types than actual people but the cast delivers strong enough
performances to make it work. Sally
Hawkins is front and center throughout and she delivers a magnetic
performance. Hawkins displays an
impressive ability to transmit emotions through looks and mannerisms which
allows the audience to follow her characters emotional journey. It helps that she and Doug Jones, who plays
the creature, share some tangible screen chemistry, all displayed non verbally
making it even more impressive. The
supporting cast is equally impressive with each leaving their signature on the
film. Richard Jenkins and Octavia
Spencer make for a likeable pair of friends for Elisa even though both could
have used a bit more depth. Michael
Stuhlbarg’s character is an interesting mixture of grey area where you don’t
quite know where he stands until near the end of the film. Michael Shannon makes for an impressive
villain for the piece. The character is
a solid blend of all the negative aspects of white males in post WW2 American
and as portrayed by Shannon he one of the most interesting characters in the
piece. Del toro doesn’t quite reach the heights he in did in
Pan’s Labyrinth with The Shape of Water but he does deliver another vividly
impressive live action fable.
B+
