“If I told you about her, the princess without voice, what would you say?”
Release Date: December 8th, 2017
Genre: Adventure, Drama Fantasy
MPAA: 14A
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, as long as Guillermo Del Toro keeps making movies… i’ll keep seeing them. He makes really original, highly intriguing and interesting films, that feel almost familiar to us in different ways, but surprise us in many others, The Shape Of Water is one of those films.
I have been looking forward to this movie ever since I heard that Del Toro had a new movie coming out, and then I watched the trailer again and again and finally it was time to see it.
The Shape of Water is a Adventure, Drama and Fantasy film is set in a 1960s research facility, a mute janitor forms a relationship with an aquatic creature.
The Shape of Water is written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro. His filmography consists of Blade II {Director} (2002), Hellboy (2004), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Pacific Rim (2013), and Crimson Peak (2015). When Del Toro makes a movie, to me its always something special, I’m expecting a visually appealing, great story, its like a fairytale to me. Its so dark, and so beautiful, that you are so engrossed and intrigued in the world, you get sucked up into every aspect of it, and it takes over your body. I’ve always said that Guillermo Del Toro is not just a great director, but he is a storyteller, he shows you things that you didn’t think would be entirely possible, and he accomplishes this with such craft. His love of practical effects is on display so well in The Shape of Water. I actually find with Practical effects that I’m more engrossed, because people have actually sat down to design and create/handmake these elements of the films. The sheer craft in all of his films… is for lack of a better word… outstanding. He did a beautiful job with this movie.
The Shape of Water stars Sally Hawkins as Eliza, Octavia Spencer as Zelda, Michael Shannon as Strickland, and Richard Jenkins as Giles.
Sally Hawkins filmography consists of Layer Cake (2004), Never Let Me Go (2010), The Double (2013), Godzilla (2014), Paddington (2014) and Maudie (2016). Sally Hawkins is just a wonder actor, she was oscar-worthy in Maudie (2016), and I’m kind of sad that they won’t count that role for her, but I think she will get nominated for this. To be able to do everything you can, except talk, and to get the audience to be completely engrossed in your portrayal, is not an easy task to accomplish and she had me locked to her every move for 2 hours.
Octavia Spencer’s filmography consists of Coach Carter (2005), Seven Pounds (2008), Drag Me To Hell (2009), Halloween II (2009), Fruitvale Station (2013), and Hidden Figures (2016). I haven’t really paid too much attention to Spencers movies over the years, I never really took notice, but in the last couple of years, I’ve started to really pay attention. She was wonderful in Hidden Figures (2016), just lovely and she was wonderful in The Shape Of Water, I can definitely get behind her winning the best supporting female actor Golden Globe for her role in this.
Michael Shannon’s filmography consists of Cecil B. Demented (2000), Vanilla Sky (2001), High Crimes (2002), 8 Mile (2002), Bad Boys II (2003), Revolutionary Road (2008), Take Shelter (2011), Mud (2012), The Night Before (2015), Loving (2016) and Nocturnal Animals (2016). Michael Shannon is an actor to always watch, his collaborations with Jeff Nichols and him are some of my favourite roles he’s done. He can do absolutely any role he wants to do, and can play the loveable nice guy, the drug dealer or the bad guy – he does it so well and with such precision. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win an oscar sometime soon for his acting. He was an great bad guy in this movie.
Richard Jenkins filmography consists of Six Feet Under {TV Series} (2001-2005), Step Brothers (2008), Burn After Reading (2008), Let Me In (2010), Friends With Benefits (2011), Liberal Arts (2011), The Cabin In The Woods (2012), and Spotlight (2015). Richard Jenkins I feel is underrated, he is consistently good in everything he has been in, he’s funny, he’s charming and he’s really loveable. He encompasses all three of these characteristics in his role in The Shape Of Water. I loved him in this movie, he was just outstanding and fun.
The soundtrack to this movie was also lovely. It was all music of the time, and was really catchy. It made me more engrossed in what was going on in the movie.
Its also super interesting to note that a greenish filter was used over the camera, it was a super neat technique that you noticed right away. The colours popped more and it added a very interesting aspect to the film, that was instantly noticeable and unique.
The Shape of Water is a highly original, different and beautifully made movie.
The Shape Of Water gets a 5/5 from me.
Until Next Time!
-Andrew
Just a FYI, this has been nominated for 7 golden globes
- Best Drama Film
- Best Director
- Best Performance By Actress in a Leading Role – Sally Hawkins
- Best Performance By Actor in A Supporting Role – Richard Jenkins
- Best Original Score – Alexandre Desplat
- Best Performance By Actress in Supporting Role – Octavia Spencer
- Best Screenplay