Review of The Shape of Water (2017) by Giorgos K — 27 Feb 2018

I've been waiting to watch this film since its announcement, long before all the nominations in the various award ceremonies started making headlines. Imagine my surprise when I heard it was nominated for a "Best Picture" award from The Academy. As rare an occasion as they come because The Academy tends to not bother with films of such nature. Needless to say, my excitement to watch it grew exponentially. Unfortunately, 20 minutes in, I realized the film was clearly selected as a nominee for all the wrong reasons. Films should not have to be praising the things of old, the old era & old Hollywood in order to suck up to people in power & vice versa. People in power should know better than to be affected by elements such as these. It's the same cliche over & over again.

Now when it comes to the movie itself, it's actually really good. Hawkins definitely steals the show by making something so absurd & inconceivable look believable & even lovable. Jenkins is brilliant as Giles & has justifiably snatched a "supporting actor" nomination though Spencer's nomination is rather questionable. She is fine in the film but does not provide anything spectacular or jaw-dropping, she is just a good supporting actress, nothing more.

Del Toro's shots are often so mesmerizing you just want to pause & regard them & Desplat's music flows majestically through the film's dreamy sequences. The noir element is ever-present & Shannon elevates & glorifies it with his stellar performance as the film's villain.

(Updated from 20/02/2018).