QR Film Reviews: Shape Of Water

Better late than never here is our review of OSCAR and BAFTA Winning Film 'The Shape of Water' 

This is a truly unique film. I don’t even know how to describe it genre wise. It’s like Amelie meets ET meets Free Willy, the romance expressed here is so weird but the script and the story around it justify it’s existence. The film has a few real bizarre and uncomfortable moments that weirdly work so well.

The story is truly wonderful, there’s very little I can fault with it. It genuinely made me feel good in my heart despite the fact I was watching a love story between a woman and a fish person. Eliza is an incredibly engaging, strong and human character even though she never speaks. Sally Hawkins performance as her is stunning and emotive and beautiful. Performances throughout the film are brilliant. Michael Shannon plays a chilling and intimidating portrayal of unreserved toxic masculinity while also seeming strangely human despite his massive flaws. And, Doug Jones as the creature is phenomenal as always, I remember watching the film and briefly forgetting the creature was a man in a suit.  Meanwhile, supporting performances from Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer bring light comic relief while also feeling relevant and important to the story and themes. 

Del Toro presents this almost fairytale love story in the context of 1960s America allowing him to tackle issues of race, gender, and sexuality while never feeling preachy. 

I’ve praised this film but now I need to address my (granted very few) issues with it. Near the third act there are some strange story choices. Characters make decisions that somewhat betray their characterisation, this is clearly in order to advance the plot but it’s rather minor in context to the whole film. The ending is also pretty sudden and a tad deus ex machinay, however it fits into the science fiction/fairy tale vibe of the film.

Again however, these criticisms are minor, overall I throughly enjoyed the film.

The acts just flowed through each other and by the end I was just more satisfied and happy than I’ve been coming out of a movie theatre in a while.

'The Shape of Water' is a beautiful and weird film and you should take the time to see it. 

Our Rating - 4.5/5

By Aidan Sheppard