This shouldn’t work. But it does. It’s a movie about a mute woman who meets an amphibious/man creature. I’m not a huge Del Toro fan, but The Shape of Water is charming, it’s relevant. It’s strange, and magical, and romantic. The musical score is fantastical and lovely. I think part of what makes this movie feel magical – like a messed up fairy tale – is the way it approaches the setting. It takes place in 1962, and it accentuates all of the boldest styles of that era, which make it seem like another world. It’s like a mix between Amelie and a Wes Anderson film, with the funny-looking buses and the cool colors of green splashed over everything.

There’s something to be said about the concoction that Del Toro has brewed with this film. The ingredients come together in a really connective way: Michael Shannon’s terse, angry performance, counteracted by Sally Hawkins’ loving, gentle, but determined portrayal of a woman who feels incomplete – until she meets a “person” that she connects with, who doesn’t see her for the broken person that others do. Michael Stuhlbarg is proving to be an MVP in this awards season, having already turned in great supporting roles in Call Me By Your Name and The Post. And Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer both lend helping hands. As I mentioned before, the music is wonderful; it frames the film as much as the cinematography. From a plot standpoint, we move at a brisk pace, but not rushed. Everything flows naturally here, which Del Toro should be commended for.

It’s not without its problems. But honestly, I don’t really feel like getting into the specifics of the negatives. It’s not a perfect film. But every once in a while, there are just movies that spark our imaginations, regardless of problems it may have. This is one of those films. It’s creative, and weird, and lovely. And it works. Somehow.

4 out of 5 stars