Strange concept............... Brilliant execution!!!!!!!

Rating: 8/10 (8 January 2018)

Now when I first heard of this film and subsequently watching the trailer, I was left wondering how on earth this film could actually work with such an outlandish story. Oh wow has Mr. Del Toro pulled this one off in some style it must be said, this film is full of surprises.
Firstly, even the idea of having a main character that is mute and doesn't speak a word is extremely ballsy because it is essential it works otherwise the film would not stand up and audience will not connect to it. Wow just wow is the performance from Sally Hawkins just fantastic and even though she conveys most of her emotions and thoughts through sign language, its the looks and mannerisms of the character that are brilliantly done. You as the audience can tell straight away the feelings of her character with the smallest emotion on her face or body language, top class acting and she 100% deserves awards for this.
All the other performances are all again really strong, the other highlights I would say are Richards Jenkins and Michael Shannon. Both bring there A game to the table on this film, Jenkins is a lonely heart warming character out of time. Whilst Shannon is just born to play a bad guy and he is so menacing even though in reality he is an every day guy with a family just doing his weird........very weird job.
The directing from Guillermo del Toro is sublime you can tell the time and effort that have been put into creating this film, ever shot is done perfectly. The camera at times moves elegantly through the air, as if you were swimming, it works so perfectly for the era of the film and the central story. Coupled together with the amazing cinematography the film looks spectacular from start to finish. This is a true technical achievement behind the camera.
The last positives are the creature effects and score, both of which are brilliant. Firstly the effects of the creature are brilliant making the creature look so grounded in reality in and strange way as if he could really exist today. Also the score that seamlessly blends in and out of the film complimenting the direction and pace of the film, very good.
Overall its 85 out of 100 or 8.5 out of 10, this film is very good from a technical stand point and with one brilliant performance from Sally Hawkins. The only part I didn't like was this strange singing and dancing scene that made know sense, didn't fit in the film at all. Apart from that this film is great with a central love story that is one of the best that I've scene in a long time from two characters that never speak a word!!!!! Definitely worth peoples time and attention, deserves many awards!!!!