Guillermo's Greatness.

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2019)

I think it's wonderful and quite beneficial for the world of cinematography that there are still those who dare to challenge the imagination of the viewer with a fantasy film. This is how great stories are born, and that is why cinema has become a great fuel of dreams. However, this genre tends sometimes to be ridiculed by bad projects that sell only visual effects that captivate the eye, but not the mind. That's why Guillermo del Toro's work and career are so successful, who impressed us again with an excellent film project and, in the eyes of the academy, just because of the nominations his latest project received, this year he has premiered his Ninth Symphony.
The Shape of Water is an inspiring and captivating movie. As expected in the case of a project by this Mexican director, the film does not disappoint as far as aesthetics and visual wonders are concerned. In this section is a real jewel, a true cinematographic triumph, a work of art. The sequences are amazing, the cinematography is fabulous (even if Blade Runner 2049 took the prize) and the visual effects excellent. And, even with all the effort invested in this film had the above characteristics, it manages to tell a story that is worthy of seeing at least, with good performances and well-developed characters.
However, it is necessary for this, my work, to also raise the rock to search for little sins. While the script was shown as a solid competitor to take the Oscar at the 90th ceremony, finally beaten by Get Out, I wasn't amazed by it, nor with the plot. Even if it is an inspiring story, it's predictable and made me leave the movie theater with the feeling that "I've seen this before". It is the typical drama of fantastic otherness, in which the government and the military marginalize or imprison something they do not know or understand. Amid the confusion, a hero or heroine emerges and begins to become intimate with the creature in question. Having developed a considerable level of affection for the creature or creatures, it seeks to free them from the clutches of a governmental agent or several, whose only interest is to benefit from what they keep in captivity.
Even with this characteristic, The Shape of Water is a project that, in a matter of direction, deserved every part of that well-earned Best Director Oscar. All of this thanks to the visual effects, cinematography, and characters that turn out to be endearing. And in that field, if I had to choose one that really exceeded my expectations, it was the character played by Michael Shannon. Once again, Guillermo Del Toro proposes an excellent villain, full of frustrations, psychopathy, inferiority / superiority complex combined, among other things that make his presence in the film remarkable. Great merit without a doubt for the actor who seems to gain more and more momentum in each project in which he participates. In general, all the characters have their own brightness and depth worthy of being taken into account. The protagonist played by Sally Hawkins, the amphibious man who is dedicated to surprise the viewer throughout the film, the performance of Octavia Spencer (Which in my opinion didn't had enough to be nominated for an Oscar but is wasn't bad either). Good characters, good messages.
This is a very good movie, worthy of being remembered. And it has to, being named Best Picture of 2017. But, in my opinion, it was a good contender for that award season, without being the greatest of all. However, it is a great incentive for young filmmakers in Mexico as well as to shut the mouth of those who say that no film talent comes from Mexico. I hoped that Guillermo Del Toro can hold the statuette for directing at the end of the night, and I saw him hold many more. And no, I didn't went out to the streets to celebrate with the Mexican flag when Del Toro won, because it is not a project of Mexico but of him. But, even so, I can feel proud of sharing a homeland with such an hard-working, dreamy, talented individual. Good movie.