The Shape of Water (2017)

This story of a mute woman falling in love with a fish-man, held captive in the 1960s US government  facility where she's a janitor, combines romance and fantasy with splashes of violence. It's a gorgeous example of cinema and a darling of critics for good reason. It's racking up awards and nominations so far, and I expect more from the Oscars when the announcements are made next month.

Sally Hawkins, who could be nominated for both this and Maudie this year, studied silent film stars to prepare for this role of romantic Elisa, written expressly for her. Michael Shannon (last blogged for Nocturnal Animals) was also director/writer Guillermo del Toro's first choice for angry federal agent Strickland. Great supporting strength (and more nominations) come from Michael Stuhlberg (after his mention in these pages for Arrival he co-starred in the third season of Fargo) as scientist Dr. Hoffstetler, Richard Jenkins (last in The Hollars) as Elisa's neighbor Giles (his role was actually written for Ian McKellan--I don't know what happened), and Octavia Spencer (most recently in Gifted) as her co-worker and mouthpiece Zelda. In one scene Strickland complains that he's talking with "the help." Of course, Spencer won her Oscar for the movie The Help. As the creature, Doug Jones (new to me, though he has dozens of credits, including playing the Silver Surfer) uses his mime training to wordlessly express emotion, even under three hours worth of makeup.

Del Toro's screenplay for Pan's Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno - 2006) was nominated for an Oscar (he directed it as well). I saw it but found the sadistic violence disturbing, though the images were magnificent (it won Oscars for cinematography, art direction, and makeup, including the transformation of Jones, who played the title creature under even more cosmetics). Therefore I was prepared to put my hands in front of the screen at this movie from time to time to shield my delicate sensibilities from the gore, and did so. This one was less gruesome than I feared, however, perhaps due to co-writer Vanessa Taylor, who co-wrote one other project after her debut in Hope Springs.

Director of photography Dan Laustsen (new to me, he has dozens of credit in his native Denmark and elsewhere) provides beautiful images. Placing Elisa's and Giles's apartments above a movie theatre adds a wonderful depth and art to the setting.

The music by Alexandre Desplat (last blogged for Suburbicon) segues from lilting to urgent and can be streamed from this youtube playlist. He performs the whistling in a few songs, chosen by del Toro to counterpoint the underwater scenes.

Rotten Tomatoes' critics average 94% today, less than two full days after its wide opening. I guess it's too soon for an audience average. But on my babetteflix list of nominees and winners for this year, this movie has the most as of now. Unless you absolutely can't stand any bloodshed, you should see this one.