The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water is a 2017 American romantic fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor. The film stars Sally Hawkins as Elisa Esposito, a mute janitor at a Baltimore research facility, who falls in love with an amphibious creature, played by Doug Jones, being held captive at the facility, reminiscent of King Kong and Creature from the Black Lagoon. The film also features Michael Shannon as Richard Strickland, a ruthless United States Army colonel, and Octavia Spencer as Zelda Fuller, a co-worker and friend of Elisa Esposito, who has worked with Guillermo del Toro on previous films, such as Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth. The film's production involved collaboration with Fox Searchlight Pictures, TSG Entertainment, and Double Dare You!, and was influenced by the works of Hans Christian Andersen and Jean Cocteau.

Plot

The film's narrative is set in 1962, during the Cold War, and follows the story of Elisa Esposito, a mute and isolated janitor at a Baltimore research facility, who discovers an amphibious creature, known as the Amphibian Man, being held captive at the facility, similar to the Roswell UFO incident and the Loch Ness Monster. The creature is being studied by Richard Strickland, a ruthless United States Army colonel, who is determined to exploit the creature's abilities for military gain, echoing the events of the Manhattan Project and the Space Race. As Elisa Esposito forms a bond with the creature, she begins to communicate with it using American Sign Language, and learns about its origins and abilities, which are reminiscent of the Mermaid legends and the Selkie folklore. The film's plot is also influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Ray Bradbury, and features references to The Wizard of Oz and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Production

The production of the film involved a collaboration between Guillermo del Toro and Fox Searchlight Pictures, with J. Miles Dale serving as a producer, and Dan Laustsen as the cinematographer, who has worked on films such as The Danish Girl and The King's Speech. The film's score was composed by Alexandre Desplat, who has worked on films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and Argo, and features a mix of jazz and classical music, similar to the scores of Ennio Morricone and Bernard Herrmann. The film's production design was influenced by the works of Syd Mead and H.R. Giger, and features a blend of Art Deco and Gothic architecture, reminiscent of the Metropolis (film) and the Blade Runner.

Themes

The film explores several themes, including love, acceptance, and tolerance, which are reminiscent of the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. The film also touches on issues of racism and xenophobia, which are reflected in the character of Richard Strickland, who is a symbol of intolerance and bigotry, similar to the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird and The Help. The film's use of American Sign Language and visual storytelling also highlights the importance of communication and understanding, which are central to the works of Marcel Marceau and Charlie Chaplin. The film's themes are also influenced by the works of Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dali, and feature a blend of surrealism and magical realism.

Release

The film was released on December 1, 2017, by Fox Searchlight Pictures, and premiered at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion award, which is one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry, along with the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its visual effects, production design, and performances, which are reminiscent of the films of Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $195 million worldwide, and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2017, along with Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Beauty and the Beast (2017 film).

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its visual effects, production design, and performances, which are reminiscent of the films of Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles. The film holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising its originality and creativity, which are similar to the films of Terry Gilliam and Tim Burton. The film also received several awards and nominations, including 13 Academy Award nominations, and won 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, which are among the most prestigious awards in the film industry, along with the Golden Globe Awards and the BAFTA Awards. The film's success can be attributed to the collaboration between Guillermo del Toro and Fox Searchlight Pictures, as well as the performances of the cast, including Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon, who have worked on films such as Blue Jasmine and Take Shelter.