Shape of Water- Mild Spoilers

Graham Craycraft

The Shape of Water is a fantasy drama directed and written by Guillermo del Toro. The main premise is the Soviet U.S struggle for advancement. Taking place in Baltimore in the middle of the Cold War the United States acquires an "asset." This asset is a reptilian humanoid discovered in South America and thought by the natives there to be a god.

The film starts out with a strong use of color and excellent transitions and is able to maintain them throughout the movie. This is able to both impose a worrying disconnected feel when in the Cold War era research lab, but brings the viewer back in during the love sequences between that main actress and the “asset.” Viewers may feel a slight discomfort at the thought of sexual relations between a human and this mystery god like creature, but Del Toro is able to execute it well by creating a strong sense of passion and love rather than meaningless sex scenes. The music at times evokes a feeling of peace, but at other times, it does not fit the mood of the story and detracts from what we are seeing.

And then the acting. Oh the acting. Antagonist played by Michael Shannon is the highlight of this film. His acting is able to carry a more mediocre surrounding cast that seems good in the movie, but without him would undoubtedly suffer. Not to say that the other acting is bad, at some times they are rather good, but without Shannon this movie would feel lacking in a counterpart. The supporting actor to the protagonist played by Richard Jenkins does not bring anything to his character and brings down the rest of the cast with his lack of believability.

What seems to be a well-thought-out movie ends, unfortunately, without much thought for originality or spontaneity. What the viewer sees in the penultimate scene would be a far more fulfilling and less cliché ending. I won’t say it is unrealistic because the entire concept for the film is a fantasy, but it was quite disappointing. Anyone who finds themselves wanting to see this movie, fear not for it is not the liberal propaganda film some critics claim it to be. I won't recommend this movie, but neither will I condemn it.

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