To brush off the movie as a science-fictional account of the forbidden love between a fish-like monster and a human being would be a travesty as it oversimplifies what in essence is a deeply meaningful tale by writer, director Guillermo del Toro that attempts to unravel and understand the many complexities of the human psyche.
The movie starts at the end of the story, opening with a dreamlike underwater sequence of heroine Elisa Esposito’s (Sally Hawkins) apartment as Giles (Richard Jenkins), her disillusioned neighbour narrates the story of her encounter with the amphibian man (Doug Jones) and states somewhat sadly, “If I spoke about it, what would I tell you about what happened to the ‘princess without a voice’?”
We witness the humdrum life of Eliza at home and at work, and along the way, are introduced to the key characters that advance the story and play a role in taking it to its ultimate end.
Elisa is a mute and works as a cleaning lady at a top security research facility in Baltimore at the height of the US-Russia Cold War of 1962.
Her best friend is wise-cracking fellow colleague Zelda (Octavia Spencer), a kind-hearted but level-headed woman, constantly looking out for her friend’s welfare.
The storyline picks up early when a mysterious man-like amphibian, found in the depths of the Amazon, is wheeled under tight security into the facility in a water tank. The Americans want to learn all they can about the creature before the Russians get wind of it and want a piece of the action too.
The government agent in charge of “The Asset”, as the creature is referred to, is Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon). Cynical, suspicious and a bigot to boot, Strickland is unrelenting in his treachery towards the amphibian man, mocking how he came to be regarded as God by the South Americans who worshipped him. Strickland thinks little of everyone – minorities, cleaning ladies, the Russians.
A friendship however blossoms between Elisa and the creature and she takes to secretly feeding him in the laboratory where he is held captive and mercilessly tortured by Strickland with an electric cattle prod in his perverse attempt to “tame the animal”.
Elisa plays music for the creature, and the two learn to use simple sign language to communicate their thoughts. Both being mute, the two are on equal footing.
However, upon overhearing plans to decimate him, despite pleadings by scientist Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg) not to destroy but study him, a shocked and saddened Elisa braves the odds and devises a daring plan to save his life.
The plot from here on is suspense-filled to say the least. More importantly, the storyline serves to show that “people power” should not be taken lightly under any circumstances. And that the marginalised i.e. minorities, gay people, those with disabilities and the lower classes can move mountains if they want to.
The cast is brilliant, with every character living up to their full potential. Elisa’s kindness and compassion is compelling from the get go, and Giles, a commercial artist slowly being phased out by technology, is a “believable”, everyday character, intelligent and kind.
Zelda is a caring and witty friend, loveable from the start while the evil villain Strickland is played so well by Shannon, it’s easy to detest him on sight.
The mysterious amphibian creature communicates so much emotion in his eyes, it is heartbreaking to see him at the mercy of Strickland and heartwarming to see him in the arms of Elisa.
With 13 Oscar nominations, The Shape of Water more than earned its Best Picture award as well as the three others it picked up for Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Production Design.
The Shape of Water is brought to you by 20th Century Fox, and opened in GSC cinemas on March 22.