Review of The Shape of Water (2017) by Rebecca31 — 19 Jan 2018

The hype surrounding The Shape of Water is immense and it’s certainly not going away any time soon. So you always have to wonder going into a film like this, will it meet these expectations or fall beneath them leaving you disappointed. Absolutely not, it really does exceed all expectations. A truly magical twist on the traditional fairy tale. Sally Hawkins and Doug Jones are exceptional, along with a great supporting cast from Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer. Guillermo del Toro has somehow managed to outdo himself yet again. Everything about The Shape of Water is there to fully immerse you in the story. From the wonderful movie soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat to the cinematography and set designs. The attention to detail is perfect. A while ago I claimed Crimson Peak was del Toro’s best English language film, well move over because The Shape of Water has just taken that spot.

Set in a secret research facility in the 1960s, a cleaner (Sally Hawkins) forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature (Doug Jones) being held captive. The most beautiful and enchanting film I’ve seen in years. You can’t help but fall in love with this story and I loved every minute of The Shape of Water. Every supporting character has their moment, Octavia Spencer and Richard Jenkins are sure to make you giggle at least once. But as for Michael Shannon, he plays a bad guy in such a way that you despise him so much, he’s simply rotten to the core. This part was written for him and it clearly shows. Sally Hawkins gives such an emotional performance without saying a word, so if you’re the type I guarantee you’ll be reduced to tears at some point. Not that I care so much for the awards but she should have an Oscar for that performance no problem. Doug Jones is perhaps the most versatile actor of this generation, he is unrecognisable in a role, so unrecognisable you may think you don’t even know who he is but believe me you do, and now he has become a completely different creature yet again. An unforgettable and completely enthralling experience. It may not be for everyone but if you like things a little quirky then under no circumstance should you miss The Shape of Water.

The perfect way to lose yourself in a movie that will dazzle you with its sheer beauty. It’s hard to compare it to anything else, like a dream inside Guillermo del Toro’s imagination. A love story with a twist. Unique, magical, brilliant. Don’t let the fact that I’m a huge del Toro fan influence you in any way I wouldn’t call a movie amazing if I didn’t mean it. If I give a film 10/10 you can bet it deserves it and The Shape of Water deserves everything it has coming to it, I cannot wait to see it again.