Guillermo del Toro works his brilliant Cinematic 'Magic' (plus abundant Compassion) again with Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer & Doug Jones (and Michael Shannon) supelative!

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2017)

Wow...... "The Shape of Water" proves once again that Guillermo del Toro is certainly among the most gifted & genuinely artistic Directors (and Conceptualists) working in films today.
As with his earlier masterpiece "Pan's Labyrinth" (El laberinto del fauno) Guillermo del Toro brings multi-layers of complexity and significant meaning to "The Shape of Water" primarily being a heartrending (although highly unorthodox) 'Love Story' ...........but perhaps even more importantly revealing deeply-poignant insights within the (partially broken/ lost) hearts & Souls of endearingly-eccentric characters simply searching for a measure of empathy-connection while traversing darkened realms of the unsympathetic & apathetic 'real' World.
Of course Guillermo del Toro has the astonishing ability to take complex moral-dilemma's (and emotional upheavals) adding-in historically resonant back-drops (in this case early 1960's Cold-War) while weaving uniquely-compelling storylines within profoundly-moving and indelible character studies.
In the case of "The Shape of Water" focusing on the beleaguered 'Elisa Esposito' who works the night-shift as janitor at the highly-secretive 'Occam Aerospace Research Center' (poignantly & realistically portrayed by Sally Hawkins). 'Elisa' is unable to speak (i.e. mute but not deaf), and communicates solely thru sign-Language, fortunately "Elisa' has a compassionate friend/co-worker named 'Zelda' to share the grave-yard shift hours with (the fantastically-charismatic Octavia Spencer works her magic here again!)...... and after-work watching old-Classic movies along with intellectual, artist/neighbor, movie-aficionado 'Giles' (Richard Jenkins).
Even with the caring company of 'Zelda' and 'Giles' - 'Elisa' experiences bouts of loneliness, and desires true companionship..... but her inability to verbally 'speak' is of course a bit of a hindrance to finding personal-happiness (this film definitely gives the viewer the impression that 'Elisa' has basically felt 'ignored' and under-valued throughout her entire Life).
'Elisa's Story-arc certainly begins to change the Day a new research 'subject' is brought into the Lab = a large aquatic 'creature' that we only receive glimpses of at first, but one who seems to possesses humanoid form? 'Elisa' is intrigued, and begins to earn this creature's 'trust' by bringing it hard-boiled eggs to snack-on, and record-albums of Music to listen/dance to?,,,, these early interactions between Elisa and the Gill-man (expertly enlivened by Doug Jones, who has brought many of Guillermo del Toro's creatures to vivid 'life') are extremely poignant as the audience begins to realize that this humanoid-amphibian exhibits abundant intelligence + curiosity + genuine emotions, soon endearing itself to Elisa (and vice-versa)....... these significant interactions eventually transforming the initially meek-mild Elisa into a steely-eyed, resolute Lover & 'protector' of the Gill-man (under-siege by those who would rather dissect him in the name of Cold-War scientific supremacy).
There are many more developments (in terms of both Love & intrigue) and the intimidating Michael Shannon perfectly-portrays the 'take-no-prisoners' Col. Strickland (out for amphibian blood), along with Michael Stuhlbarg as the seemingly compassionate scientist (with a secret) who also plays a pivotal role here.
In summation, "The Shape of Water" is one of the Best, most emotionally-complex and highly-imaginative movies I have seen in a long time...... one that most definitely lingers and deeply-impacts the viewer's heart & Soul....... but with the brilliant Guillermo del Toro at the helm, I expected no Less!