The Shape of Water: A Beautiful, Strange Love Story

Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures / "The Shape of Water"

The Shape of Water is directed by Guillermo del Toro. And it stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, and Richard Jenkins. Sally Hawkins plays Elisa, who feels lonely and isolated from everyone. She has an adjoining apartment with Richard Jenkins' character, Giles. And she cleans a top secret government laboratory for a living. Here, we’re introduced to their new classified experiment. It’s an exotic amphibian-creature that everyone sees as a monster. But not Elisa. She starts to develop a connection with it. And her life changes forever.

This movie definitely isn’t for everyone. In the trailers, it looks like a girl falls in love with an amphibian-creature. And in the movie, thats exactly what happens. Elisa doesn’t wake up and it was all a dream. What you see is what you get. It’s strange. And not everyone is going to accept it. But it’s strange in the best possible way. And if you’re looking for something deeper, don’t worry. The story is loaded with secrets, themes, and powerful symbolism. And it has a great message about finding acceptance and love.

The story revolves around a girl and an amphibian man falling in love. They barely say anything to each other the entire movie. And yet, they had such beautiful and powerful chemistry together. I really found myself caring about them and rooting for them. Director, Guillermo del Toro is a talented and passionate filmmaker. And he proves it in this movie. You can tell this story in particular means a lot to him. He handles it with so much care and precision. And he tells it so beautifully.

Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures / "The Shape of Water"

Immediately, you can see why del Toro is nominated for best director at the Oscars. Part of what makes this film so beautiful is del Toro’s incredible filmmaking. The camera work is amazing. And he accomplishes something truly special. There are lots of smooth, sweeping shots and beautiful long takes. Everything feels just so natural. And every shot flows so well into the next one. One of the main themes in the movie is water. And del Toro conveys this theme in such a great way. And he blends it so well into his filmmaking. There were times where even the camera work felt like the flow of water.

Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures / "The Shape of Water"

For the most part, the movie excels at pacing too. But I also have a few problems with it. Which is unfortunate. Everything else about the directing is so great. We are introduced to the creature pretty quickly. I didn’t have a problem with that at all. I loved that the movie didn’t waste any time here. However, I had a problem with how quickly Elisa’s relationship with the creature developed. Del Toro chooses to show it with a montage sequence. I didn’t mind the montage. But I wish we spent a little more time watching their relationship develop. Especially since it gets pretty serious pretty fast. That being said, I still cared about Elisa and the Amphibian-man in the end. I rooted for them the entire movie. And I wanted to see them end up together. No matter how different they are.

Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures / "The Shape of Water"

We also care so much about them because of the performances. Everyone in the movie does a fantastic job playing their characters. Especially Elisa and the Amphibian man.

Sally Hawkins adds so much to her character, Elisa even without a voice. She’s sweet and innocent, and loves to dance. Yet, you can see so much longing in her eyes. There were scenes where her performance really impacted me. And I got a little bit choked up.

Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures / "The Shape of Water"

Michael Shannon is also a force to be reckoned with. He commanded the entire screen when he was in frame. And he felt larger than life. He was incredibly menacing and terrifying. But never too over the top. He made

his character feel like a real person. And those are the most terrifying villains.

The Shape of Water is a beautiful movie. And I was left with a huge smile on my face. During the end credits, this classical music started to play. And behind us, a couple was slow dancing to the song. Thats the kind of mood this movie puts you in. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And it makes you believe in magic.

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