Review of The Shape of Water (2017) by Kels C — 02 Mar 2018

Guillermo Del Toro's masterpiece is a contorted romantic journey in the (in)human condition, Its extremely engaging, stunningly cute, harsh, musical, violent and breathtaking. He is and always been a very particular in storytelling, Pan's labyrinth & Crimson Peak[1] are the perfect example of it.

Movie plot took place around 1960 - a cold war era. Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a mute character, works as cleaning woman in an underground facility where scientific experiments took place. The place is run by General Hoyt and his security team. Story revolved around Elisa's daily life who has a co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer ) and a gay-neighbor Giles (Richard Jenkins) to express her muteness. Story took a turn when Hawkins falls in love with a Gilled Amphibian Monster(Doug Jones) captured by a greedy human monster Richard (Michael Shannon). Bond gets stronger between Elisa and Amphibian man. Occam facility's decision to use amazon god for a cruel experiments left no choice to Hawkins but to stage an escape plan with whatsoever resources she has so far.

Yet, No brief synopsis can fully convey the projection of Del Toro's beautiful imagination, Its treat which is to just feel rather than watch.

Elisa's character is so powerful, a quietness with curious and observational eyes add more power to her character, she has literally used every muscle to express her emotions. An Opening scenes established Elisa's character with the great details. Bathtub scene with a timer portrait her loneliness and sexual enthusiasm due to that, Tearing calendar pages shows purposeless routine life, Early scenes with Giles portrait her as Dreamy Princess. Number of scenes like expressing her first meeting with creature to Giles or convincing for the rescue attempt of creature to Giles, creature's first touch at Bathtub are beautifully performed with intense emotions, she definitely delivered an performance that come along rarely in an artist's life.

That scene between her and Giles when she asks Giles to help in the escape plan is the best scene of the movie, best enough to get the nomination for best actress.

Movie concept is really ordinary, certainly a risky concept for a director like Del Toro but as movie proceeds, you'll feel that its Del Toro through and through. Combination of Hawkin's quietness, amphibious inhuman, Shannnon's powerful and monstrous character built a perfect fairy tale. Story telling with the great details is the gem of the movie. Cadillac showroom scene was somehow irritant to the plot but it was the perfect example of portraying Shannon's power. Green tone is nicely synced in all the scenes to create 60s effect. The art direction of the climax is extraordinary.

The Shape of water is stunningly beautiful. Just go with it and get the best dive you'll ever had.