The Shape Of Water (2017)
C / B&W – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Guillermo del Toro
Screenplay By: Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale
Pro. – Dir.: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones, David Hewlett and Nick Searcy.
In the 1950’s a lonely janitor at a top-secret research lab starts a relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity. A creature film in the style of The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954), right down to the design of the creature; difference being: this is a love story. The film is by no means fast paced but it has the visual flair of del Toro to off–set it. Period detail is nice, sets are impeccable, costumes are tops and the actors play their parts with gusto. How can you go wrong? The only complaint here is that it is a creature film from the 1950’s released in 2017. In short: It has all been done before. Unlike most creature films though you actually feel for the creature here. Between that and the romance element being played in an entirely different way makes this a film worth watching.
Trivia: The creature’s design here was heavily influenced by the title creature in the film: The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954). Guillermo del Toro reportedly wrote backstories for all the characters and offered them to the actors. Some utilized them (Michael Stuhlbarg) while others ignored them (Richard Jenkins). Guillermo del Toro started work on this film in 2011.
Oscar® winner for: Best Picture – Guillermo del Toro and J Miles Dale, Best Director – Guillermo del Toro, Best Original Score and Best Production Design. Additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Actress – Sally Hawkins, Best Supporting Actor – Richard Jenkins, Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, Best Original Screenplay – Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. Golden Globe winner for: Best Director – Motion Picture – Guillermo del Toro and Best Original Score – Motion Picture. Additionally nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama – Sally Hawkins, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Richard Jenkins, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Octavia Spencer, Best Original Screenplay – Guillermo Del Toro.
Rated: [R] – Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Violence & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy