The Lady in the Water: Review of The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

By Alex Watson

The most unique and offbeat tale this year can offer, Guillermo Del Toro has created something very special. The Shape of Water is a movie unlike any the Mexican maverick has made before. Known for his stunning visuals in movies such as Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak, and Hellboy, this movie is all about heart and soul. With a clutch of wonderful performances to compliment the touching story, this will be an award's season favourite.

Set in Baltimore during the 1960's, Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) is a mute yet big-hearted cleaner at a government science facility. She helps care for her elderly neighbour Giles (Richard Jenkins) and she also has a strong bond with co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer). One day a mysterious creature known as 'The Asset' (Doug Jones) arrives along with hard-nosed and brutal security officer Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon).

Alongside DP Dan Laustsen's bright colored and vivid cinematography, Del Toro display's a delicate touch with his directing. This picture goes above the level of emotion displayed in his masterpiece Pan's Labyrinth and shows us that love isn't just bound by species. Elisa is a character who views herself as an 'incomplete' human due to her muteness but yet she brings little pockets of joy to those who know her. Giles- a gay and rather scatterbrain artist relies on her heavily to get by. At first, a mousy person who doesn't dare rock the boat, the sheer courage she displays, later on, make us adore her. When she first comes across the creature- she is naturally very curious. Slowly, she bonds with it by feeding it boiled eggs and little by little a deep bond is formed. What makes this so poetic is the fact they have to communicate without words. Connecting through music and simple gestures, Del Toro shows how the smallest actions can be the most effective.

Despite the fact, this creature poses no threat to anyone- Strickland is all about protecting national security. This picture's equivalent to Captain Vidal, Strickland is a harsh man armed with an electric cattle prod who always believes that the end justifies the means. Although a family man, the Colonel lives a very regimented existence both in and outside work. He likes to keep his wife quiet during their passionless sex and seems to have little interest in his two children. Inside work, he bullies and terrorizes the creature for little other reason than he can. What is wonderful about Del Toro's The Shape of Water is that each supporting character has their own story to tell. Scientist Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a man who desires to protect this creature- but yet is also a Russian spy! Giles is a failed artist who is unwanted by both his old company and the attractive male diner worker he desires. Zelda in any other movie would have been the comic relief aspect, but in Del Toro's universe, she's a key player whose devotion to her friend Elisa is unconditional.

Coming together as an unlikely army of protectors, this band of cast off's are determined to protect the Asset with all their might. The growing love between Elisa and this amphibian being is unique because both are considered not completely human. From the beginning she doesn't see this creature as something to be feared- instead, she notices a being that needs to be nurtured. Unable to express her love- there is a beautiful scene in which she imagines singing 'You'll Never Know' which gradually turns into a full-on black and white musical dance number. Credit also needs to be given to production designer Paul Austerberry whose transforms 60's Baltimore into a sparkly place of wonder. His use of teal, in particular, is stunning and his underwater scenes wouldn't look out of place in a Disney picture. Even Strickland at one stage purchases a teal Cadillac- these subtle nods towards nautical themes is one of many fascinating elements this picture possesses.

Sally Hawkins gives a performance of the highest order. Boasting arguably the finest silence turn since Jean Dujardin in The Artist, Hawkins is simply mesmerizing. Excellently projecting her character's inner torment at being unable to express herself- Hawkins brilliantly uses her sign language to both highly comical and extremely devastating effect. Reliable baddie Michael Shannon is once again memorably nasty as the button-down psycho Strickland. Heavy on 'protocol' but unafraid to bend the rules- Strickland is hulking and violent menace whenever on screen. Richard Jenkins stakes his own supporting claim with a wonderful turn as the rejected Giles. A fun reverse on the old cat person spinster character, Giles like Elisa is unloved by the world. Jenkins gives a gentle yet potent supporting turn. Octavia Spencer will most definitely be among the nominees come award season. Zelda is a character that goes deeper than expected, on the surface, she is the typical chatterbox but underneath she has the heart of a lion.

The Shape of Water is a movie that will undoubtedly grace many top 10 and awards lists this winter. Guillermo Del Toro has shown us another beautiful side of his directing, where he goes from here will be fascinating.

A Beautiful Mind: Review of Gifted

Gifted

Director: Marc Webb

By Alex Watson

While it's script might not be perfect, Marc Webb's Gifted is a movie with a great deal of heart. Making the most of the charms of debut actress McKenna Grace, Webb's film about a child genius is one driven by heavy emotion. While this family drama does boast some fine performances, it approach feels way too formulaic.

Mary Adler (McKenna Grace) is a 7-year-old girl who lives with her boat repairman uncle Frank (Chris Evans) in Florida. When she begins first grade, it becomes apparent that Mary is a mathematical genius. While the school offers to send her an academy for gifted children, Frank outright refuses the offer, stating that his late sister wanted her to have a normal life. The arrival of his estranged mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) will ignite a bitter custody battle.

The easy going feel of Gifted does serve it well in the early stages. The minute Mary steps into her first day of class- she's like an acid-tongued whirlwind that teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate) cannot handle. Mary is very much a child far removed from the rest of class, but having no friends her ages is of no great concern "Kids my age are boring!" she shrugs. Neighbour Roberta (a drastically underused Octavia Spencer) is a close to a friend as she allows. There is also a sense of sadness and frustration of being out there on her own. While the early scenes show a lovely bond between Uncle and niece, you can sense this is not built to last. Frank is wary of the attention and pressure of being a prodigy- his sister was entirely devoted to solving the notoriously difficult Navier-Stokes problem. Failing to do so resulted in her suicide and Frank taking custody!

Once word gets out of Mary's ability with numbers- Evelyn breezes back in much to the reluctance of Frank. After this introduction, the movie's dynamic shifts to being more of a courtroom piece. Evelyn abandoned his sister when she became pregnant as she considered her talents wasted. Moving the movie to the law courts- this piece soon becomes a mudslinging affair. Sadly we never really get the full sense of the family feud and everything seems far too civilised for this type of battle. Part of the issue is that we're not sure quite why Frank's status as guardian is being challenged? He has provided, given loving stability whereas Evelyn has shown no interest in her grandchild since birth. Webb gets too wrapped up in finding reasons to drag this family apart that it interferes in the logic of the film.

Gifted is a movie that desires to run on sheer emotional power. While unashamedly a tear jerker, Webb thankfully doesn't resort to courtroom fireworks to get his point across. There are numerous question raised as to whether farming Mary out to higher learning institutions will be a blessing or a curse? Frank is always steadfast in his view that Mary should be a normal, happy child. However, having already outgrown her current academic surroundings, there is always a notion of her becoming restless and resentful. Annoyingly the picture doesn't ever expand on this point and the difficulty morality of this choice is second place to family issues.

Chris Evans in a change of pace from playing Captain America is still as likeable as before. While it might not be a career defining performance, he is still a nurturing and amiable presence. McKenna Grace is left to steal the show with ease. While in a difficult of playing the smart-alec child with the ability to annoy, Grace carries it off with effortless charm. Possessing a sharp wit and quick answer for anything- this young actress is impressive as a young girl with a dangerous set of brains. While cold and mostly unlikeable, British actress Lindsay Duncan is also related as Evelyn. A woman wanting to correct earlier mistakes, her intentions are always in conflict with another.

Gifted is a movie that returns Marc Webb to the talents he displayed in movies like 500 Day of Summer. Although its direction is a little confused, it is still impossible to dislike.

T-Minus: Review of Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures

Director: Theodore Melfi

By Alex Watson

Hidden Figures brilliantly brings to light the essential role played by three African-American women during the Space Race at NASA. A story previously unknown to the public, all three helped change the boundaries of both gender and race during their time at this institution. Director Theodore Melfi brings across as a heartfelt feel to this picture and wonderfully lets the story tell itself rather than going for an overblown approach. The work these three women did was nothing short of miraculous and John Glenn's now famous flight might have been a far different story if not for their actions.

Katherine Goble (Taraji P. Henson), Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) and Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) are all employees of NASA. All feeling frustrated by the lack of advancement for both women and African-American's, each will take liberties into their own hands to get their voices heard. Space Director Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) is concerned with the upcoming space flight by John Glenn (Glen Powell). With the world watching, all of these three women will combine to launch one of the most anticipated moments in history.

The strength of Hidden Figures come from the toughness of each of the three leads. All are brilliant and brave in their own ways, Katherine is a mathematical genius whose gift is frowned upon by her all male superiors including insecure Paul Stafford (Jim Parsons). Dorothy is the defacto leader of a team of 'Computers' who is repeatedly denied promotion despite being overqualified. Sharp-tongued Mary while encouraged to be an engineer is denied due to silly technicalities. Melfi presents each of these characters with great authenticity and doesn't succumb to the urge to phone in the message. Set against the era of segregation, their battle isn't just in the workplace, it's all around. Thankfully the people around them are not presented as outright racists. Characters such as Kirsten Dunst's snooty Vivian Mitchell are ones bound by tradition and protocol.

Against the clock with the space race, the US is losing ground to the Soviets once Yuri Gagarin goes into orbit. Al Harrison is a boss that at first is concerned only with the job, once he gets wind of Katherine's ability with numbers it makes things a whole new ball game. All on her own at first, she receives a cool and hostile welcome. The only coloured bathroom she can use is half a mile away at her old building. She looks destined for obscurity until both John Glenn and Harrison see that the importance of this mission hinges on her. His defence of her isn't one where the sparks fly and no passionate speeches are given, just a quiet assurance that her qualifications are essential. Mary is also fighting her own battle because her wanted promotion depends on her taking advancement courses at an all white school. Mary is someone who doesn't need people fighting in her corner, through using her own words and her natural instinct is able to overcome anything.

Hidden Figures is a tribute towards those who refused to be confined to the shadows. Battling prejudice throughout, each member shows their spirit and determination when times get hard. Dorothy in particular comes across as a real hero when she learns to program IBM machines better than the men who built them. It is impossible to think of John Glenn's flight without their involvement. Katherine's maths is by the far the element that makes the difference because although Stafford arrogantly states his math is perfect and tries to black out key 'classified' information, Katherine repeatedly sees the flaws. The men in their lives are also quietly brilliant with a wonderfully romantic turn by Mahershala Ali as new lover Jim Johnson. Playing both father figure to her three daughters, Jim is the rock she needs and this story is one that gives this picture a sweet feel.

Three magnificent turns are what makes this picture so potent. Taraji P.Henson is Oscar worthy as the brainiac Katherine. Giving her a silent determination, Henson gives a turn that has both heart and great charm. By far the strongest character of the bunch, this could open new doors for this actress. After impressing as a surrogate mother in Moonlight, Janelle Monae is a force of nature as Mary Jackson. Gifted with a quick wit and even quicker tongue, this woman is unafraid to go it alone when it comes to her dreams. Octavia Spencer could well be up for supporting honours again with another tough and frank turn as Dorothy. Authoritative whenever she is on screen, this kind of role is second nature to Spencer. Kevin Costner is also impressive as boss Al Harrison and shows how memorable he can be with the right type of part.

Hidden Figures is a picture that stands out on its story alone and is one that could see some love when it comes to awards season.