MOVIE REPORT CARD: THE SHAPE OF WATER

DATE: 12/1/17
TITLE: THE SHAPE OF WATER
DIRECTOR: GUILLERMO DEL TORO
STARRING: SALLY HAWKINS, RICHARD JENKINS, MICHAEL SHANNON, DOUG JONES, OCTAVIA SPENCER

GRADES

ACTING: 95
DIRECTING: 95
SCREENPLAY: 90
EDITING: 85
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 95
SOUNDTRACK: 80

​FINAL: 90/A-

COMMENTS

It's kind of a miracle that Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, works at all. The film as a whole is simple; yet the content, is kind of ridiculous. The film is brought home by strong performances from the entire cast. I would be shocked it Sally Hawkins, isn't at least nominated for an Oscar for her performance here. Octavia Spencer and Richard Jenkins, compliment her nicely too. Michael Shannon, is deliciously chewing the scenery around him. While at times he can be a little over the top, his knack for assholery is delightful. You really root for this bastard to get what's coming to him. Doug Jones, doesn't get a lot of attention. He's perfected the art of full-bodied prosthetics, much like Andy Serkis has done the same for motion capture. Jones, brings the Amphibian Man to life, and is key to making this Beauty & the Beast story work. While the film has its quirks, Del Toro's master class of handling this oddball story, is ultimately what holds this thing together. Bits and pieces may not always work, but for the most part The Shape of Water, is a beautiful piece of storytelling. It's an adult fairy tale that isn't afraid to be different.