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Best Picture Birb: The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, and Richard Jenkins
Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro
US Release Date: December 1st, 2017
Most Recent Viewing: March 3rd, 2018
Image Credit: movieposter.com

 Garnering the most nominations at the 90th Academy Awards with thirteen, The Shape of Water gives us Guillermo del Toro's best film since Pan's Labyrinth. This cold war fairy tale is a visual tour de force and a compelling story, all of which was told through the eyes of the main character who doesn't say a word. 

 Sally Hawkins stars as Eliza, a mute janitorial worker at a secret government facility who is trying to find her place in the world. When an Amazonian monster is brought to the facility by the head of security Richard Stickland (Michael Shannon), Eliza and the monster (Doug Jones) build a bond. Octavia Spencer plays Eliza's workmate and friend Zelda, and Richard Jenkins plays Giles, Eliza's neighbor, and best friend. Jenkins, Spencer, and Hawkins are all nominated for their roles, and Shannon as the lead antagonist could also have garnered a nomination. 

 This is a film about finding your place in the world, no matter what that may look like. Hawkins portrayal of Eliza is one of the best acting roles I have seen in years doing so much with just her emotion and presence. Del Toro proves that you can accomplish so much with little, able to construct this visual masterpiece with only a 19.5 million dollar budget. The Shape of Water is one of, if not my favorite film of 2017. 

 The Shape of Water is rated R for graphic violence and language, and sexuality/nudity. What are your thoughts? Follow me at twitter.com/moviebirb or facebook.com/moviebirb and let me know what you think. 

 -birb

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