The Shape of Water: Shout It, Sign It, Sing It

Post by: Emily McTyre

Guillermo Del Toro’s The Shape of Water is a story of misfits who find their place together. Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a mute young woman, lives atop a movie theatre in 1960’s Baltimore. Her best friend Giles (Richard Jenkins) is a freelance artist in his mid-50’s who lives in the studio apartment next-door. The pair complement each other beautifully in that they look out for one another. They make each other happy, and they don’t need a lot to be content. The two live a simple life, going through the motions each day.

This routine remains true until Elisa and her coworker Zelda Fuller (Octavia Spencer) discover a classified experiment involving a mysterious creature at the

research facility where they work as janitors. Through a number of secret visits, Elisa befriends the creature, teaching him sign language, showing him music, and providing him with food. He sees her simply as she is; he does not know what she lacks. In the same way, Elisa accepts the creature with awe and without question.

Meanwhile, the head of this government experiment Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon) and scientist Dr. Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg) butt heads over methods to learn more about the amphibian man. Strickland’s tactics ultimately win since he is the one in authority. He tortures the creature, pushing it to the brink of death. One time, Elisa witnesses this cruelty, and decides the only way to save the creature is to do it herself.

I won’t go into much more summary because I don’t want to spoil anything for you. This is definitely a film to see in theaters or as soon as you can. Because of its message, I feel like it is one of those movies everyone should see at some point or other. The story is set in the oppressive society of the Cold War era, but the themes are very progressive and universal. Aspects of humanity like race, sexuality, disability, and gender are presented in the societal context of the early 1960’s, but they are discussed with care and a modern perspective. While all of the characters deal with one or more of these subjects, the story does not center itself around the hardships that come with the ideologies.

Ultimately, The Shape of Water tells its audience, no matter what you look like, who you are, or where you come from, you have a purpose. You have a voice. You can love and be loved. You matter in the world.

Elisa depicts this message through her own character, but also in her compassion and understanding for others. There is a beautiful scene where Elisa is trying to convince Giles to help save the creature. She signs, “If we do nothing, neither are we.” Elisa has found someone, something, that sees her the way she is, “not know[ing] what I lack or how I am incomplete.” She finds her own validity in the creature, and she is empathetic enough to realize that he has a purpose in her. In the same way, Giles finds use in helping his best friend find the love that he missed out on. Zelda finds empowerment in standing up for her friend when no one else could or would. Dr. Hoffstetler finds worth not in his life’s work, but in setting it free and following his morals. Everyone has a place. Everyone is crucial, no matter who they are.

The Shape of Water, rated R, is currently playing in theaters. It is nominated for 13 Academy Awards including everything across the board from Best Motion Picture to Best Achievement in Costume Design. It has also won 72 awards so far like Best Director and Best Original Score at the Golden Globes. The story and its portrayal play on an Amélie (2001) aesthetic, and the creature’s design is heavily influenced by Jack Arnold’s Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).

This is a story for everyone to hear. You have a purpose, no matter how small you may feel. You mean something to someone, just as they do to you. You are powerful, and you have a story to tell. Shout it, sign it, sing it. Embrace your flaws because they are what make you unique. They are what give you your strength in the scheme of the universe. If we were all the same and if we all followed what was expected of us, where would the story be?