This was the first film I saw alone in the movie theatre and boy, it was a good one. I adored this movie. When I first saw the trailer months ago, I was immediately interested in it because I knew people would be weirded out by the fish man, but that sort of thing never bothered me. I went into it with as open a mind as I could, and it lived up to and exceeded most of my expectations. I’ve seen several del Toro films, but none of them ever stood out to my as favourite material until this one. It was so beautiful, and it felt a little like a fairytale even though the story was dark and bloody. It was about something beautiful in a difficult time, similar to the setting of Pan’s Labyrinth only this time (double spoilers) it actually ended happily, which was a pleasant surprise.
It’s no surprise that this movie was beautiful. I absolutely adored the opening sequence reminiscent of the Titanic underwater, until you realize it was the main character’s dream. I also loved the random dance sequence with her and the asset, I thought that was wonderful. The whole industrial but still whimsical aesthetic of the film was amazing, and really helped to grasp the feelings. I loved how the asset looked, like something alien but still very human.
Only two things about this film bothered me, so spoilers ahead. First, I’m really mad about Pandora. That cat did not deserve to die. It actually broke my heart watching it and it was really hard for me to look past it. I also didn’t love all of the gore because that bothers me in general just because I’m squeamish, but that’s more of a personal thing. Lastly, I felt a little jipped. The whole hype behind the movie was “is she gonna bang the fish man oh boy scandalous” but then when she did, they just skipped past it, and yet, I had to sit through that whole disgusting sequence with wonder bread most hated but real bad guy ever and his wife and his bleeding fingers like that’s acceptable. Where was the creative fish mating? I feel cheated.
Still, I really did love this movie, especially the ending. The music also was beautiful, and I listened to it all the way home from the theatre. I definitely recommend seeing it, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it lived up to almost all of my expectations!
Still, I really did love this movie, especially the ending. The music also was beautiful, and I listened to it all the way home from the theatre. I definitely recommend seeing it, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it lived up to almost all of my expectations!
Warnings for The Shape of Water: ugly racist sex, attractive fish man (more of a bonus really), tons of gore and murder, really awful bad guy, homophobia, racist villain, y’know, the whole bit