The Shape of Water (2017)

A wonderful love letter to classic monster movies, and the villain in the film, as played by Michael Shannon, manages to be equally menacing and hilarious in his own deadpan way.

Phaneron ★

As far as I am concerned, Guillermo del Toro is one of the few mainstream directors working today that I would consider a true auteur and master of his craft. His entire filmography feels intimate and even autobiographical in an abstract sense, and there's no mistaking his style nor his writing for anyone else. And perhaps nowhere is that better demonstrated than his stunningly beautiful, dark fable "The Shape of Water."

Set against the uneasy backdrop of the Cold War, the film follows the mute Elisa Esposito, whom works as a cleaner at a top secret military facility. When a startling new specimen is brought into the complex - an aquatic amphibian man - Elisa quickly becomes attached to it, and the two gradually form an unbreakable bond and a deep affection while she tries to plan for a way to release it back into the wild.

Inspired by del Toro's childhood obsession with "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," the film practically oozes with style while also piling on themes that are perhaps just as relevant today as they were in the time period in which it's set. At its core, the film is a multi-layered fairy-tale for adults about the struggles of marginalized groups, and about the prejudices they face in society. The film may not be subtle about it (del Toro rarely is subtle), but it's fantastically effective nonetheless. Every character has something that sets them apart - from Elisa's inability to speak, to her best friend's homosexuality, to her work friend being African American in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. And indeed, to the amphibian man himself, who is a different species but just as deserving of respect. And against them all is the film's adversary, a military colonel who serves as a wonderfully vile, moustache-twirling symbol of structure, conformity and oppression. Again, not subtle... but effective. The film holds a mirror up to society and challenges us to face our prejudices.

Guillermo del Toro is at the top of his game here as both director and co-writer. The script, co-written with Vanessa Taylor, is just delicious. Del Toro's films always have a certain peculiar melodramatic quality to them, and I mean that in the best of ways. As I said, the film is very much akin to a fable or fairy-tale, and this is definitely by design. The themes and ideas are big, as is the execution, and it works wonderfully. And the direction is just out of this world. This may be del Toro's strongest film from a visual perspective. I've always admired his brand of guidance, where the camera constantly moves like a snake around the scenes, and the actor's every move carefully mapped out. It's complex and satisfying to watch, and it sets him apart from others.

And the cast is just marvelous. Sally Hawkins delivers a tour-de-force performance as Elisa in a role that is extremely challenging and rewarding. I can honestly say I was blown away by her, and can't wait to see her in her next big role. Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer are phenomenal as Elisa's friends, who support her throughout the film. Especially Jenkins as a struggling artist who serves as Elisa's near constant companion. Michael Shannon is great, devilish fun as the film's antagonist. But I would be committing a crime if I didn't bring up Doug Jones as the amphibian man. He is just out of this world in the role. Not only is the character beautiful to look at, with some of the finest prosthetic makeup I've ever seen. But Jones himself is able to give him so much character through the use of body language alone. He doesn't utter a single word, and yet you can tell everything he is thinking and all of his intentions through movements and subtle nuances. As far as I'm concerned, he should have won the Oscar for Best Actor.

I could honestly gush over this film for hours. I was captivated when I saw it on the big screen. And I've watched it many times since on home video. It's a film that's worth seeing again and again. (And as a quick aside, if you own a 4K TV, I'd highly recommend the 4K UHD version of the film. It's quite a nice upgrade over the Blu-Ray).

"The Shape of Water" easily earns a perfect 5 out of 5. It's a stirring, effecting and heart-wrenching fable for these modern times, and one of director Guillermo del Toro's best films.

TedStixon

-70/10.Oh goody the latest anti American movie that wins big at the fraudulent Oscars.They might as well have said the Cold War was unnecessary, the Soviets weren't our enemy we were because of our paranoia.Sally Hawkins, one of the homeliest women ever to be in movies, plays the lead of Elisa Esposito.A mute woman who falls in love with a shameless ripoff of Universal's The Gill Man who takes her away in the end like Darryl Hanah did with Tom Hanks in Splash.Anyone who called this garbage a classic is either a brown noser or delusional.I found nothing positive here in this anti American pro beastiality junk fest.

Rob245