The Shape of Water
Storytelling at its finest.
Out of all the things that make writing and reading so much fun, what I love most of all is a great story. That being said, it isn’t purely the story that makes a good book (or film in this case), it’s the way in which it’s told. Oftentimes, I’m more impressed by what writers and creators do with a story rather than the story itself. No other film expresses that quite as beautifully as this one.
I’ll admit when I heard the premise, I was skeptical. But, after discovering “Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities” several months ago, I was hungry for more. I wrote about it here:
His voice is unique, almost a mix of Alfred Hitchcock and M. Night Shyamalan, dark but beautiful.
This one is nothing short of divine. The way it’s looped around, as if looking through a spiral, the beginning tied neatly to the end. The intricacies of the storyline leave so much left unsaid to the point I wanted more (honestly I wish he would make a book out of it). I've even heard rumors he wrote very extensive and detailed character descriptions (I'd love to read those myself), and offered them to the cast. Guillermo once again shows how great of a storyteller he is here.
The acting is fantastic. Sally Hawkins plays her part beautifully, as does the always feisty Octavia Spencer. Richard Jenkins shows a good bit of range here as well. Doug Jones is a wonderful actor, really showcasing his talent, despite the fact his character never speaks. My one complaint is Michael Shannon. Though he does make a decent villain, I’m not really a fan of Michael Shannon in general. To me, he’s rather flat, not ranging too far away from what he has played in the past.
The cinematography is classic of Guillermo del Toro’s pieces, though this one had a very “Bioshock” feel to it which really set a perfect mood for the film. I love the classic nods to Hitchcock’s style, hidden throughout like Easter eggs.
Final thought: All in all, a great film and one I’d highly recommend. Especially if you are a Guillermo del Toro (or even a dark fantasy) fan. The attention to detail Guillermo gives to it is nothing short of amazing. I only wish there were more of it.
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