Today’s quick review: The Shape of Water. Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a mute cleaning lady at a secret government lab, strikes up an unusual relationship with an amphibious fish-man (Doug Jones) captured by the government for study. But when the creature is scheduled for dissection, Elisa must find a way to rescue him out from under the watch of Strickland (Michael Shannon), the sadistic government agent in charge of his security.
The Shape of Water is a fantasy romance from director Guillermo del Toro. The Shape of Water’s explicit language, sex, and violence make it a mature watch, as much a serious drama as an idle fantasy. Yet its tone remains hopeful, and the backbone of the movie is a plot that’s part romance, part caper. The film’s peculiar premise is backed by sterling direction, a lovable cast, and stunning practical effects.
The Shape of Water is a high-quality production. Its cinematography is pristine, capturing moments of joy and of apprehension with equal skill. The sets and costumes are visually rich, particularly the detailed work done on the creature. The script handles its characters’ arcs well, and though the general trajectory of the plot is obvious, the beats along the way are not. The tone of wonder is set by a beautiful score by Alexandre Desplat.
The Shape of Water is noteworthy for its characters. Sally Hawkins makes for a charming, sympathetic protagonist in Elisa. A mute woman who makes the most of her humble life, her story gives the film its ample amount of heart. Michael Shannon’s character of Strickland also proves to be surprisingly nuanced. As despicable as he is?nd the film goes out of its way to make him so?e nonetheless has a humanity that most movie villains lack.
The supporting cast is just as strong. Octavia Spencer plays Elisa’s coworker Zelda, a loyal friend and the source of much of the movie’s humor. Richard Jenkins complements Sally Hawkins well as Giles, her artistic neighbor. Doug Jones does an admirable job as the fish-man, feral yet not entirely inhuman. The characters strike a nice balance between realism and dramatization, mirroring the film’s own magical realism.
However, The Shape of Water won’t appeal to many viewers. Elisa’s romance with the fish-man can be a tough pill to swallow. Viewers who are in it for the romance may be turned off by its mature content and flashes of graphic violence. Viewers looking for a sci-fi, fantasy, or horror film will find little in the way of action, mystery, or speculation. The Shape of Water sits at an odd intersection of interests, giving it mixed appeal.
Beyond these questions of taste, The Shape of Water also has a few flaws in its execution. At its core, the plot is a simple one, so the movie fills time by exploring its characters in greater depth. There are missed opportunities to delve deeper into the creature’s past, passed up in favor of the story at hand. The movie is also never clear about how intelligent the creature is, giving the romance and even stranger tinge.
Still, The Shape of Water has all the quality it needs to realize its vision. Those looking for an unusual, uplifting romance that doesn’t shy away from darker topics should look no further. Those expecting a more traditional sci-fi or fantasy movie will be disappointed. For a purer romance with a similarly fantastical premise, check out The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
8.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for excellent characters, a thoughtful story, and strong execution, tempered somewhat by its odd subject matter.