Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars

Guillermo Del Toro’s new Oscar nominated film “The Shape of Water” brings to life an original depiction of the classic sea monster in this adult fantasy. With a superb cast to lead the story, the theme of the film is shown through various techniques through color and cinematography.

The story end of a forbidden love is not very original. The story is executed in a very romantic way. Often times, it felt as if audiences were peeping in a life that is not their own. The opening shot uses water and furniture to foreshadow the overall message in the film.

The use of the green hues portrays the story to the audience, as green often signifies the reality of the world the characters live in. Elisa (Sally Hawkins, “Paddington 2“) is mute janitor working in government lab alongside her longtime friend Zelda (Octavia Spencer, “Gifted”), where she falls in love with a strange creature. The main antagonist Strickland (Michael Shannon “12 Strong”) threatens to deter the relationship Elisa is developing with the Amphibian Man. Shannon’s strong depiction of Strickland intensifies the fear and urgency Elisa must overcome in order to protect her relationships with the people around her.

The story evokes emotion as forces challenge to keep the relationship from developing. Elisa silence becomes as essential as the story unfolds, she lets actions and risks to voice her love for the creature become her voice. The use of green throughout the film serves for different purposes depending on the location.

The story holds truth behind the people and time period of 1960s Baltimore. In the lab, green is used to cause unease and mystery as Elisa lets her curiosity get the best of her. The production design used in the films brings back a different time and informs the audience of the relationships Elisa has with everyone. Elisa’s best friend and next door neighbor, Giles (Richard Jenkins, “Kong Skull Island”), whose apartments are different from one another weigh the distinction of the roles they serve in the film. Giles’ apartment is filled with deep warm colors, such as yellow and brown, signifying his deep love and care he shows throughout the film. Elisa apartment uses rich colors that surround an ocean, which the aged furniture and shapes used in the house mimic the shape of water, alluding to her future fate.

The story is a magical and unconventional love story that plays homage to classic movie monsters and the golden age of Hollywood. The nostalgic songs and old films playing behind scenes bring realism to the relationships between characters and the time period on which the film is based. With the compelling storyline and the use of powerful visuals, the story is built around the meaning water has. Water centers the relationship Elisa develops with the sea-like creature with whom she has many things in common. The strange love story displays a modern adult fairy tale that depicts reality and fantasy for the ages.

Image from Fox Searchlight via YouTube.com