The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water is a 2017 American period romantic dark fantasy film directed and produced by Guillermo del Toro, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vanessa Taylor.
The Shape of Water is a 2017 American period romantic dark fantasy film directed and produced by Guillermo del Toro, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vanessa Taylor. Set in 1962 Baltimore, it follows a mute cleaner at a government laboratory who falls in love with a captured amphibious humanoid creature and tries to help him escape.
Premise
The film follows Elisa, a mute janitor working at a high-security government laboratory, who discovers a captured amphibious humanoid creature. Their bond develops into a romance, and Elisa begins planning to help him escape.
Production
Guillermo del Toro directed and produced the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Vanessa Taylor. Searchlight Pictures is listed as the studio in the provided sources.
Cast
The principal cast includes Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer. Doug Jones portrays the amphibious creature.
Release and runtime
The film was released in 2017 and has a listed runtime of 119 to 123 minutes across the provided sources. Sources also identify it as a United States production.
Reception and awards
The provided sources identify the film as an Oscar-winning title. They also describe it as receiving multiple Academy Award nominations and wins, though exact award counts are not consistently stated across the results.
Key facts
- The film was directed and produced by Guillermo del Toro, who co-wrote it with Vanessa Taylor.
- It is set in Baltimore in 1962 during the Cold War.
- The story centres on Elisa, a mute cleaner, and an amphibious humanoid creature held in a government facility.
- The film stars Sally Hawkins as Elisa, with Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer in supporting roles.
- It has been described as a romantic fantasy, dark fantasy, and drama romance film.
The film was widely distributed in Canada and was reviewed by Canadian and international outlets, making it relevant to Canadian film audiences as a major contemporary fantasy-drama release.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Shape of Water about?
Who directed The Shape of Water?
Who wrote The Shape of Water?
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References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shape_of_WaterSupports: Basic film identification, release year, director, writers, cast, setting, and synopsis.
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580390/Supports: Film identification, cast, and broad plot description.
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580390/plotsummary/Supports: Detailed plot summary identifying Elisa and the laboratory setting.
- British Film Institute — https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/00270355-6748-5352-80cc-8ec9bcd68c66/the-shape-of-waterSupports: Director, producers, writers, cast, country, and runtime.
- Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_shape_of_water_2017Supports: Genre, rating, and synopsis.
- Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-shape-of-waterSupports: Plot summary, runtime, release timing, cast, director, and awards note.
- Spirituality & Practice — https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/28540/the-shape-of-waterSupports: Setting, characters, plot context, and genre description.