My Review of The Shape of Water
My summary: A mute janitor at meets and falls in love with a captured fish man.
Why I watched this movie: My friends suggested we go see it because it was playing at the Lyric (a local historical movie theater) and because one of those friends lurves Guillermo del Toro.
What I knew going in: Well I knew the summary, and that it was directed by Guillermo del Toro, and that it was rated R. You know, all the important things.
My response: This was a really beautiful movie. While I didn’t get a bunch of the references that were undoubtedly meant to be gotten by the old movies shown, the aesthetic of the movie was just lovely. The story was touching and realistic feeling. And for once the R rating wasn’t because of gratuitous violence. (I mean there was some, but not a lot.) It was more for the nudity and sex, which in all cases was handled well and fit with the story. It, to me, had the feel of being created by someone who knows their craft, and it made me excited for the book I will write one day with a similar level of mastery.
Do I recommend this movie?: Yes. There’s a reason it’s up for Best Picture.
