The Shape Of Water

The Shape Of Water — Guillermo del Toro

Unedited Thoughts — This is part of my unedited thoughts series.

From the moment this film opens it is magical. We are underwater — but not. Everything is moving like it is under water but it is the real world. Then bam it’s a dream — fantastic stuff.
All of the visuals in this film feel like bio-shock. It’s retro 1940s but with something off. There is a strong sci-fi element in the base but it doesn’t loose any of the awesome retro feel. They nail this visual and feel throughout.
I love it when film makers do something different. The lead character is dumb. She signs on occasion so you hear her through others. She speaks through her actions and man can she act.
The overarching story is Americans have captured a powerful species and they underestimate its power. The Russians are also interested — the spy is interested in the creature itself rather than just what it can do for them but he is vetoed and ordered to kill it to stop the Americans.
Elisa, Sally Hawkins, is the only one who cares about the creature. They form an instant connection and their differences to the others around them are what unite them. There are some really touching moments as they befriend each other.
Elisa and Giles rescue the creature but there is an issue — they have to wait for the rains to be able to take it to the dock and for it to escape. So they hole it up in their apartment while the American government closes in. This causes heaps of issues — because it is a wild creature.
There are some spectacular special effects as the creature heals people. The visuals fit really well with this retro world that del Toro has created for us.
I really enjoyed this film. The connection and value that Elisa and the creature feel for each other is real and more powerful than any of the other ‘validated’ relationships. Through this realness they overcome all obstacles. This visuals are great — it is a fantastic film to watch.