The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water | |
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Directed by | Guillermo del Toro |
Screenplay by | |
Story by | Guillermo del Toro |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Dan Laustsen |
Edited by | Sidney Wolinsky |
Music by | Alexandre Desplat |
Distributed by | Fox Searchlight Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 123 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language |
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The Shape of Water is a 2017 American romantic fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor. The film stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer. It was screened in the main competition section of the 74th Venice International Film Festival and premiered on August 31, 2017,[2] where it was awarded the Golden Lion for best film in the competition.[3] It is also scheduled to be screened at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.[4] It is scheduled for release in the United States on December 8, 2017.[5]
Premise
In 1962, a mute janitor and her colleague work in a government laboratory and eventually discover an amphibious creature in a water tank. The janitor, out of loneliness, befriends the creature.[6]
Cast
- Sally Hawkins as Eliza Esposito
- Michael Shannon as Colonel Strickland, Elisa's superior
- Octavia Spencer as Zelda, Elisa's friend and one of her co-workers
- Richard Jenkins as Giles, Elisa's neighbor
- Doug Jones as The Asset
- Michael Stuhlbarg as Hoffstetler
- Lauren Lee Smith as Elaine
- Nick Searcy
- David Hewlett
Production
The idea for The Shape of Water formed during del Toro's breakfast with Daniel Kraus in 2011, with whom he would later co-write the novel Trollhunters.[7]
On March 17, 2016, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that a thriller film was in development from Guillermo del Toro which would star Octavia Spencer and which del Toro was writing and would produce and direct for Fox Searchlight Pictures. The film would be set in the Cold War era.[8] Michael Stuhlbarg joined the film's cast later in March.[9] On May 6, 2016, Michael Shannon joined the cast in a role opposite Sally Hawkins.[10] The title was speculated and then confirmed to be The Shape of Water.[11][12][13] In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, del Toro confirmed his frequent collaborator Doug Jones would play the creature in the film.[14]
Filming began on August 15, 2016.[15] [16] [17] and wrapped on November 6, 2016.[18]
Alexandre Desplat is the composer of the film's score.[19]
Reception
After its premiere at the Venice film festival, The Shape of Water was met with high praise from critics, with many declaring it Del Toro's best film since Pan's Labyrinth[20] and particularly praising Sally Hawkins' performance.[21] On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 24 reviews, with an average rating of 8.8/10.[22] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 92 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[23]
Ben Croll of Indiewire gave the film an A and called it "one of del Toro’s most stunningly successful works, it’s also a powerful vision of a creative master feeling totally, joyously free."[24]
The film won the prestigious Golden Lion at the 74th Venice Film Festival.[25]
References
- ^ "The Shape of Water". tiff. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ "Venice Competition Includes Films From George Clooney, Guillermo del Toro, Darren Aronofsky". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water wins Venice Golden Lion". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- ^ "Toronto Film Festival 2017 Unveils Strong Slate". Deadline.com. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ^ McNary, Dave. "Guillermo del Toro's 'Shape of Water' Gets Awards Season Release Date". Variety. Variety Media LLC. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ McNary, Dave (July 19, 2017). "First Trailer for Guillermo Del Toro's Merman Fairy Tale 'The Shape of Water' Debuts (Watch)". Variety. Variety Media LLC. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ Guillermo del Toro [@RealGDT] (22 August 2017). "Shape of Water- first birthed over a looong breakfast with @DanielDKraus in 2011. It shows next week at the Venice Film Festival" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 August 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ Kit, Borys (March 17, 2016). "Octavia Spencer in Talks for Guillermo del Toro's Latest Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro Casts Michael Stuhlbarg". Slashfilm.com. 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (May 6, 2016). "Michael Shannon to Star in Guillermo Del Toro's Cold War Love Story". TheWrap. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro Movie Adds Richard Jenkins & a Merman". Slashfilm.com. 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
- ^ Evry, Max (May 9, 2016). "Michael Shannon Joins Guillermo del Toro's New Film". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ "Guillermo Del Toro Talks 'Pan's Labyrinth' Musical Plans, 'Pacific Rim' 2 Casting, More".
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro on Twitter: "We start shooting The Shape of Water on Monday. I will tweet some images now and then-"". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
- ^ Evry, Max (2016-08-15). "Shape of Water: Guillermo del Toro Begins Production". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro's The Shape Of Water Finds A Composer". Wegotthiscovered.com. 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
- ^ Jessica Kiang (August 31, 2017). "Guillermo Del Toro's 'The Shape Of Water' Is Sweet & Scary Movie Magic [Venice Review]". The Playlist. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
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(help) - ^ Zack Sharf (August 31, 2017). "'The Shape of Water' Reviews Rave About Sally Hawkins' 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Silent Performance". Indiewire. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "The Shape of Water (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ "The Shape of Water reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ Ben Croll (August 31, 2017). "'The Shape of Water' Review: Guillermo del Toro's Lush Fairy Tale Is a Powerful Vision of Love". Indiewire. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2017-09-09). "Venice Film Festival: Guillermo Del Toro's 'The Shape Of Water' Scoops Golden Lion – Full Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
External links
- 2017 films
- 2017 horror films
- 2010s fantasy films
- American fantasy films
- Romantic fantasy films
- American monster movies
- Dark fantasy films
- American horror films
- American romance films
- American Sign Language films
- Cold War films
- English-language films
- Films about disability
- Films directed by Guillermo del Toro
- Films produced by Guillermo del Toro
- Film scores by Alexandre Desplat
- Films set in 1962
- Films set in the United States
- Fox Searchlight Pictures films
- Golden Lion winners
- Historical romance films
- Monster movies
- Romantic horror films
- Screenplays by Guillermo del Toro
- Screenplays by Vanessa Taylor
- Sign-language films
- Upcoming horror films