If boredom were a shape, it would be the same shape as 'Water'

Rating: 4/10 (2 June 2018)

There have been countless depictions of unusual friendships that turn into full-fledged relationships depicted on the silver screen over the years. Think of 'Edward Scissorhands' or 'Her.' But the one that transpires in 2017's Academy Award-winning 'The Shape of Water' is something unlike we've ever seen, for better or worse (mostly for worse).
At the core of 'Water' is the story of lonely mute Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) who works the night shift as a janitor at a secret government research facility. She befriends her colleague Zelda (perennial Oscar nominee Octavia Spencer) and the two stumble upon an amphibious creature that is held captive in the facility. Elisa quickly develops a friendship with said creature, and thus begins a quest to free him, which becomes a much bigger production than anticipated.
While on the surface, this is a love story (an unorthodox one, at that), there's a lot going on in 'Water.' There's a sub-plot involving a spy game with KGB agents, which makes sense given the Cold War backdrop, but the true antagonist is the facility's director, Richard Strickland (played masterfully by Michael Shannon), who is out for blood and to weaponize the creature against the Soviets. But the main focus is on the creature, which is understandable given director Guillermo del Toro's fascination with monsters. It is well done, CGI-wise, but that doesn't mean the film as a whole is amazing. In fact, 'Water' is your typical critically acclaimed Oscar bait whose boredom masquerades as beauty.
Sure, the use of water in this film is kind of intriguing, with one scene in particular coming to mind involving a flooded bathroom. But the plot is so odd and out there. This is a case where being different with a capital "D" actually works against the film. It just exists - nothing to write home about, and surely not deserving of a best picture Oscar.
'The Shape of Water' will not be remembered for years to come, and if it is, it will be for all the wrong reasons.