A sweet, romantic creature feature.

Rating: 9/10 (26 February 2018)

'The Shape of Water' is co-written and directed by Guillermo del Toro and stars Sally Hawkins as Elisa, a mute woman working in a 1960's US government lab which is harboring an aquatic Amazonian creature which she falls in love with and decides to save from the grasp of the American and Russian governments. The cast is rounded out by Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stulhbarg and Michael Shannon.
This film along with 'Dunkirk' is one of the finest technical achievements of the year boasting stunning cinematography (particularly the effect of camera seemingly floating on water the whole time), beautiful production design and a seductive old Hollywood-style score. The story of outsiders coming together to help another is absorbing and heartwarming and is greatly helped by remarkable performances across the board but particularly by Sally Hawkins who is mesmerizing without saying a word. Richard Jenkins is also noteworthy as Elisa's neighbor and friend Giles giving a sensitive, subdued but standout turn. Octavia Spencer and Michael Stulhbarg are also decent as Elisa's friend and work partner who serves as comedy relief and a soviet spy with a conscience respectively.
Michael Shannon plays a very typical villain for a fairy tale and while his performance is passable, his character is underwritten and comes off as a mustache twirler. Other than this one flaw however, the movie is superb coasting on del Toro's superb direction and a phenomenal cast. Highly recommended.