The Shape of Water (R)

When I was a kid, my favorite movie was “The Creature from the Black Lagoon.” So, I was interested to see “The Shape of Water” – I wanted to know what the talk was all about: why a film starring Sally Hawkins, playing the part of a cleaning woman working the graveyard shift at a government lab, had won ‘Best Picture’ at the 2017 Oscars. Further, I was eager to see what part had been assigned to one of my favorite actresses, Octavia Spencer.

Mute all her life, Elisa Esposito (Hawkins) is employed as a cleaning woman along with Zelda, the only coworker she has a friendly relationship with. Elisa communicates by sign language. One day, she sees something in one of the labs she wasn’t meant to see – a creature like nothing she has ever seen, chained in a large body of water. The creature was obtained by Richard Strickland, an obsessed soldier who captured the beast in the Amazon forest.

In “The Shape of Water,” the U.S. and Russia are at the peak of the Cold War. Each country wants to outdo the other in matters of space and experiments. Strickland (Micheal Shannon, “The Iceman”) is determined to perform inhumane tests on the amphibious creature before the Russians steal him from under their noses. Word has spread to underworld spies that something unique is going on in the secret lab.

Elisa is intrigued by the man/reptile. With time, the two develop a relationship. Wanting to save him from more experiments, she’s determined to release him from his prison and give him back his freedom. With the help of her neighbor, they make a plan to take Elisa’s discovery and put it back in the wild.

When I saw it, “The Shape of Water” was being shown at our local theatre for one last day, and I jumped at the chance to see it. The Oscar winner lives up to all the hype. It’s directed by Guillermo Del Toro, and backed by the talent of Hawkins, Jenkins, Octavia Spencer (whom I am a fan of), along with Micheal Shannon and Micheal Stuhlbarg as the amphibian man.

The audience is instantly transported to the early ‘60s during the Cold War. The atmosphere of this timeperiod is unusually striking, achieved without flaw.

When I go see a movie, I can tell right after if I liked it or not. Sometimes, though, it takes a couple of days – or a second viewing – to come to a conclusion. That’s what happened with “The Shape of Water.”

A second look sold me.

This film is different. Part drama, part fantasy, and part adventure; it’s difficult to put a finger on what genre the film falls into. It’s a mix: there’s a bit of musical thrown in for good measure (depending on who you ask). But with this picture, anything and everything can be expected. The amphibian could’ve easily been made to look like  “The Creature from the Black Lagoon;” but Del Toro fits every character with a perfect second skin.

The acting is perfect. It was impressive and delightful to see most of the cast playing their parts as if they were not merely playing a role, but rather being themselves. Every character represented has something missing from their lives to make them feel complete and as the film advances; they find a part of themselves that they have been living without.

Elisa has been without a voice all of her life. She finally builds a relationship with someone who can understand what it’s like to be voiceless. There grows an attachment as she now feels fulfilled. Her neighbour is also leading a lonely life filled with rejection. But with Elisa inviting him on a dangerous adventure, he is useful. Shannon’s Strickland wants to see the project he has for the creature come to fruition, no matter what the cost. There is an important part to play for all main characters concerned.

Richard Jenkins, who plays Giles, Elisa’s neighbour, starts speaking about this strange adventure he and Elisa had. All the while superb images float around the screen. The cinematography of the film is so beautiful and spot on, that those who lived during the time period will de stunned. The music, the colours, the lighting are all on the ball.

There is, though, one little glitch. A short but unnecessary song and dance that just doesn’t make much sense. A comparison comes to mind: “Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulin,” a French film from 2001 and winner of many awards. The unusual colours and rhythm, the music of a long-gone era, a girl who spends most of her time alone, wanting to help those less fortunate… these two movies could be watched side by side and the resemblance would seem uncanny.

Although there’re some scenes not for the faint of heart in “The shape of Water,” there’s also a childlike essence, mainly in Elisa’s portrayal. She’s portrayed as half child, half woman. The creature’s need for tenderness – and Elisa’s same desire – make the relationship both unique and yet so necessary. Both have been so misunderstood in the past that the viewer is not shocked that they become one together.

It is important to underline the role of Micheal Shannon, the “bad guy.” His square features, seen in ’50s comic books, and his mean, one-minded approach to his scheme makes him the perfect villain. He’s smart, methodical, and cold. He knows he has much to gain if his plan comes to fruition. In this light, it’s evident that Del Toro chose the cast with methodological accuracy, reinforced as it complements the movie to a T.

For those who like something different with their popcorn than just another “Bang, Bang shoot ‘me up” flick, “The Shape of Water” will not disappoint. With love, drama, suspense, and comedy – all wrapped into one beautifully achieved piece of cinematography – you will be well served with what this film brings to the table.

– by Denise Hamelin Hazard