FREE ENTRY – SCREENING AS PART OF THE ANU ENLIGHTEN MINDS | THINKING SPACES PROGRAM

The Shape of Water revolves around Elisa Esposito (Hawkins), a mute woman who works as a cleaner at a secretive government research facility. When a new significant asset is transported into the walls of the facility, Elisa’s curiosity leads to her discovering a tall dark amphibious stranger in captivity. Once she learns of the cruel plans the facility’s head of security (Shannon) has for the creature, she begins to make plans for its escape.

Director Guillermo del Toro is the go-to person for a film with magical fantasy, intelligence and maturity (this is NOT a kid’s film – plenty of eroticism and violence here). His most accomplished film prior to 2017 was Pan’s Labyrinth, but he has surpassed even that with this film. Some of the keys to its success: (a) the relationship between Elisa and her neighbour (played by Richard Jenkins) which is even more touching than the relationship between Elisa and the creature, (b) the sensitive writing, (c) the gorgeous production design for 1960s Baltimore, including a classic Hollywood cinema and magical underwater scenes, and (d) a solid supporting cast comprising Shannon, Octavia Spencer, and the ubiquitous (at the moment) Michael Stuhlbarg.

You’ll magically float away out of Coombs after this film.