The Shape of Water (2017)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Octavia Spencer, Michael Shannon

Primary genre: Romance

Secondary genre: Fantasy

Nominated for: Best picture, director, actress, supporting actress, supporting actor, original screenplay, cinematography, costume design, film editing, original score, production design, sound editing, sound mixing

Won: Best picture, director, original score, production desgin

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"The Shape of Water" marks an unusual choice for del Toro lacking horror related themes or his admiration for the macabre. At its core, it is a peculiar love story between two different yet surprisingly similar individuals. Elisa, a mute who works as a cleaning lady in a 60s government laboratory, falls in love with an amphibian creature that is being kept by Michael Shannon's gloomy Colonel Richard Strickland. What feels like a banal "Beauty and the beast" trope, is being reinvigorated for the 21st century with the panache that accompanies del Toro on each of his cinematic output.

The blooming connection between Elisa and the "monster" while it does not have any surprises, is being populated by colorful characters with their own mini sub-arcs (e.g., Strickland's domestic life, Giles’ potential love interest) although these do not get fully explored. Despite shades of various discrimination, the film wisely decides to avoid condemnation. The main focus here is the blossoming romance and the long awaited climax follows a similar structurally route to the one in “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006) which could be considered slightly predictable.

The Mexican auteur has crafted a love letter to the classic Hollywood era, rarely losing the opportunity to showcase his admiration - a dialogue free musical number in black and white comes to mind - with spectacular cinematography (by Dan Laustsen of the "Crimson Peak" (2015) and "John Wick: Chapter 2" (2017) fame). The setting provides the opportunity to replicate a retro 60s style embracing that specific revolutionary sentiment that was popular back them with costumes, sets and props oozing authenticity.

The cast is also superb. Sally Hawkins in particular, is spectacular, her physical language replacing her vocal cords in a fearless performance. Hawkins carries a warm tenderness to Elisa's lifestyle avoiding to portray her as a social recluse (with solid help from the script). Michael Shannon on the other hand, is clearly having a blast as the mostly apathetic and patronizing government agent but it is a shame that he does not get much to show besides clear resentment for the "creature". Octavia Spencer brings enough gravitas in a limited role as Elisa's best friend but it is Richard Jenkins as Elisa's closeted and misunderstood artist who steals the show with his child-like enthusiasm and love for musicals (and cats).

"The Shape of Water" sees del Toro at his most confident (and more award friendly). Despite the lack of originality, it boasts enough romance to attract cinephiles who search for something more refined than just mainstream comedic shenanigans supported by great performances, a believable love story and wonderful cinematography.

+Fantastic production design

+Nicely scored by Alexander Desplat

+Vivid cast

+Superb acting from Sally Hawkins

+…and especially from Richard Jenkins

+Bold yet believable love story

-... without any surprises

-Octavia Spencer has limited screentime

-Michael Shannon is a by the numbers villain

-Predictable climax