IF a film about a romance between a fish-like man and a mute woman seems implausible – how about just such a movie bagging two Oscars.
We see what the fuss is about with The Shape of Water ahead of its UAE release on March 8 and find a cinematic gem that finds a fresh way to evoke timeless emotions.
THERE’S no debating it - Guillermo del Toro is an unconventional director with an unlikely CV.
With films such as blockbuster monster action thriller Pacific Rim, Hellboy and Oscar-nominated Pan’s Labyrinth to his name, The Shape of Water shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Yet it does, perhaps.
And as such, this first Oscar for the prolific, but immensely thoughtful Mexican director is surely deserved.
With films such as blockbuster monster action thriller Pacific Rim, Hellboy and Oscar-nominated Pan’s Labyrinth to his name, The Shape of Water shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Yet it does, perhaps.
And as such, this first Oscar for the prolific, but immensely thoughtful Mexican director is surely deserved.
EMPTY DAYS: The life of Elisa (Sally Hawkins) takes an unexpected turn when she meets her watery companion
His fantasy drama turned love story centres on a bleak government aquarium facility in murky Cold War-era America.
It is there that the nervous, shy and lonely Elisa (played by Paddington the movie’s Brit actress Sally Hawkins) works as a cleaner.
One day that monotony and the facility's secrecy is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious oceanic creature that has the boffins equally excited and flustered.
Therein, her life takes on a strange dimension as well as an unexpected sense of humanitarian purpose.
It is there that the nervous, shy and lonely Elisa (played by Paddington the movie’s Brit actress Sally Hawkins) works as a cleaner.
One day that monotony and the facility's secrecy is shattered by the arrival of a mysterious oceanic creature that has the boffins equally excited and flustered.
Therein, her life takes on a strange dimension as well as an unexpected sense of humanitarian purpose.
CARING COLLEAGUES: Elisa and Zelda (Octavia Spencer) unite as Agent Strickland imposes his cruel ambition
She embarks upon a wordless friendship with the aquatic man, an intelligent captive from South America, against a backdrop of lab studies and US-Soviet suspicion-driven military scheming and cruelty.
Her isolation is swiftly shattered as she finds understanding, companionship and, ultimately, love with another being who, like her, is misunderstood and an outcast simply for being different.
Hawkins delightful and engaging performance is matched by Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures, The Help), playing chirpy, world wise black co-worker Zelda, who empathises with her colleague’s peculiar secret amid her own struggles, with racism.
Her isolation is swiftly shattered as she finds understanding, companionship and, ultimately, love with another being who, like her, is misunderstood and an outcast simply for being different.
Hawkins delightful and engaging performance is matched by Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures, The Help), playing chirpy, world wise black co-worker Zelda, who empathises with her colleague’s peculiar secret amid her own struggles, with racism.
LONELY PALS: Giles (Richard Jenkins) and Elisa bring light to each others lives as neighbours
Doug Jones plays “the creature” with great dexterity and ease – then again, he’s got extensive form having also been the Silver Surfer (Fantastic Four) and The Thin Clown (Batman Returns) amid his 150 movie and TV credits, largely playing oddballs and creatures.
Michael Shannon revives his villainous traits (as seen in Man of Steel) as ruthless, and increasingly desperate, government agent Strickland. And the enduring Richard Jenkins (countless credits including TV’s Berlin Station and the brilliant Six Feet Under as well as flicks Jack Reacher and Kong: Skull Island) is adorable as lonely gay artist Giles, neighbour to Elisa, and the film’s occasional narrator.
Michael Shannon revives his villainous traits (as seen in Man of Steel) as ruthless, and increasingly desperate, government agent Strickland. And the enduring Richard Jenkins (countless credits including TV’s Berlin Station and the brilliant Six Feet Under as well as flicks Jack Reacher and Kong: Skull Island) is adorable as lonely gay artist Giles, neighbour to Elisa, and the film’s occasional narrator.
CREATURE DISCOMFORTS: From lagoon to canvas, the amphibious man finds not all mean him harm
Deftly captured, The Shape of Water is expertly weighted with vintage atmosphere and a palpable sense of loneliness and hope that lend this bizarre tale rich visual and emotional depth. The evolving, tense storyline and its heart-tugging capacity is enough to have brought a few gasps and tears around the auditorium during the preview screening.
As a respected filmmaker who also invested in this arguably brave movie and came out with something memorable, del Toro deserves the ‘silverware’.
As a respected filmmaker who also invested in this arguably brave movie and came out with something memorable, del Toro deserves the ‘silverware’.
OSCAR ROUTE: Del Toro directs Hawkins and Jenkins in a scene from this unconventional award winner
Whether the film itself justified the Best Picture Oscar amid its 13 Academy Award nominations - in the face of so much worthy competition – will continue to be debated.
What is certain is The Shape of Water is an indelible story that is touching, surreal yet thoroughly plausible in its sensibilities all at the same time.
And that deserves an audience.
What is certain is The Shape of Water is an indelible story that is touching, surreal yet thoroughly plausible in its sensibilities all at the same time.
And that deserves an audience.
