The Shape of Water

‘If we do nothing, neither are we’ - Elisa

Guillermo del Toro stayed true to his genre of fantasy for his latest film but despite the unique story and BAFTA award winning original soundtrack, I was left wanting more.

After watching the trailer for ‘The Shape of Water’ all I could think was this film would be a weird love story but still, I was intrigued and wanted to see it.

The film is set in 1962 Baltimore where mute Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) works as a cleaner in a military facility. A high security creature is brought in that attracts Elisa attention, she then feds and teaches it about music but after she learns the military’s plan for it, she seeks to set him free.

The film being set in such a time allowed it encompass the many situations in America at the time such as racism and black people fighting for civil rights, the lack of acceptance of homosexuals in society and the great space race between America and the Soviet Union. It’s this final reason that explains why the military are studying the creature that they called ‘The Asset’. Also this is why Michael Shannon’s character Richard Strikland goes to great lengths to protect it, harming everybody including himself in the process. This I believe is the most developed character as he displayed his power and dominance at home, in work and even to his superiors. Additionally, I became very interested in the story and behaviour Dr Robert Hoffsteller ( Michael Stuhlbarg) even more so than Elisa who I grew no attachment to.

Much like del Toro’s other popular fantasy film ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ [2006] it starts with someone, later revealed to be Giles (Richard Jenkins) telling a story. When it came to the end of the film I initially didn’t understand why the story was being told because unlike ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ it had no clear political or social criticisms. It does however, show that love is blind as two people of two different forms easily find love and protect each much to the surprise of Zelda (Octavia Spencer), as it is to most. Although the one telling the story and the provider of the majority of the films comedy, I feel the character of Giles could’ve been explored better. His occupation and relationship with Bernard (Stewart Arnott) and the company never became clear to me.  After doing some research I found out that he was supposedly an advertiser bur this isn’t something I should have to do as I believe the film should present everything clearly. This causes me to wonder if I lack the attention of detail for films as this is potentially an academy awarding winning film but for me it was nothing spectacular.