Strange but beautiful

Rating: 9/10 (21 May 2019)

I have yet to see a film by Guilermo Del Toro I didn't enjoy. The Shape of Water certainly has a questionable subject matter with its interspecies romance but then again, why should that be a bad thing? This film is beautiful in every way. In its lovely soundtrack and cinematography. In its realistic practical effects and squeamish violence. In its likable, compelling characters, especially our leading lady and the main villain. It explores topics of love, ambition, authority, and abuse through a cold-war setting. It also is well-written with several fantastic plot twists and developments. The only flaw I can think of is the lack of characterization for our beloved fish man. While I consider him fully sentient, more scenes of characterization would have helped sell the authenticity of their romance.