The Shape of Water (2017), directed by Guillermo del Toro, is a visually stunning and emotionally profound fantasy romance film. Set in the early 1960s during the Cold War, the film tells a unique and poignant story of love, loneliness, and acceptance. With its beautiful cinematography, captivating performances, and thought-provoking themes, The Shape of Water became an instant classic and won several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Production Design.The film centers around Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a mute, lonely woman who works as a cleaning lady at a high-security government laboratory in Baltimore. Elisa communicates through sign language and lives a quiet, solitary life. Her routine changes when a mysterious amphibious creature (Doug Jones) is brought to the lab, where he is held in captivity by the military. The creature, discovered in the Amazon River, is treated as an object of scientific curiosity, and the government plans to dissect him for research.Over time, Elisa forms an unexpected and tender bond with the creature. She is drawn to him and begins to communicate with him using sign language, learning that the creature is intelligent and capable of understanding her. As Elisa develops a deeper connection with the creature, she learns of the government’s cruel intentions to experiment on him, which sparks her desire to protect and save him.
The relationship between Elisa and the creature grows, ultimately turning into a forbidden love that defies societal boundaries. Elisa risks everything—her job, her safety, and her future—to help the creature escape. As the two grow closer, the film delves into themes of isolation, communication, and the transformative power of love.At its core, The Shape of Water is about the need for connection and the power of love to transcend boundaries. Elisa’s silent existence is marked by isolation, and her relationship with the creature represents a profound connection that goes beyond words. Their communication through sign language becomes a symbol of their bond, showing that love can be expressed in different forms, even without traditional speech.The film also addresses themes of societal rejection and the idea of the “other.” Elisa, the creature, and other characters in the film—such as her neighbor Giles (Richard Jenkins) and her co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer)—each experience some form of marginalization or alienation. By focusing on these “outsiders,” The Shape of Water highlights the importance of empathy, kindness, and acceptance toward those who are different from us.One of the standout aspects of The Shape of Water is its breathtaking visual style. Guillermo del Toro’s direction is filled with symbolic imagery, rich color palettes, and meticulous attention to detail. The film’s use of water, in particular, plays a significant role, symbolizing both the mystery of the creature and the fluidity of love. The underwater sequences, in particular, are dreamlike and visually stunning, emphasizing the film’s ethereal tone.
Del Toro’s masterful blend of fantasy and reality creates a unique atmosphere that is both magical and grounded in the real world. The contrast between the sterile, cold laboratory and the warmth of Elisa’s private moments with the creature highlights the film’s thematic tension between dehumanization and emotional connection.The performances in The Shape of Water are nothing short of extraordinary. Sally Hawkins delivers a remarkable performance as Elisa, bringing depth and nuance to a character who cannot speak but communicates volumes through her expressions and actions. Doug Jones, who portrays the creature, conveys a profound sense of emotion through body language and subtle movements, making the creature one of the most sympathetic characters in modern cinema.Supporting performances from Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer, and Michael Shannon (who plays the villainous Colonel Strickland) add further layers to the story, with each character representing different facets of human experience and conflict.The film’s hauntingly beautiful score by Alexandre Desplat further enhances its emotional impact. The music complements the film’s atmosphere, perfectly capturing its romance and tension, and it won Desplat an Academy Award for Best Original Score.The Shape of Water is a deeply emotional and visually mesmerizing film that explores themes of love, isolation, and acceptance. Guillermo del Toro’s direction, combined with outstanding performances and an unforgettable score, makes the film a standout in modern cinema. It is a story of how love can break down barriers and transform lives, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.Ultimately, The Shape of Water reminds us that true connection is not bound by language or societal expectations, but by understanding, empathy, and the willingness to see beyond the surface. The film is a beautiful, unforgettable tribute to the power of love and the courage to embrace what is different.
