"The Shape of Water" was directed by Guillermo Del Toro who is best known for his movie "Pan's Labyrinth." The screenplay was co-written by Del Toro and Vanessa Taylor. The movie focuses on an amphibious man who resembles more a creature than he does a human. A mute janitor is asked to clean the laboratory where he is being held and the two form a deep friendship with one another. As character Elisa becomes close to the creature she realizes that she must break him out of the pre-Cold War era laboratory as her supervisor wants to tear the aqua man apart.
Casting includes such actors as Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Richard Jenkins and Michael Shannon.
A unique friendship between species
When character Elisa, a mute woman, is asked to become the janitor of a pre-Cold War era laboratory she can hardly say no. Her supervisor, played by Michael Shannon, is a mean hearted man who has no time for her efforts at sign language. When Elisa is cleaning the lab she discovers a great secret. The government has discovered a creature, some kind of aquatic man, who is being held and experimented on. Elisa's fascination with the creature grows and she begins to try and communicate with him.
She discovers that the creature is sentient. He understands her and can communicate with her in their own special way.
The creature, played by Doug Jones, is the only person who sees Elisa as a whole person despite the fact that she is mute. As Elisa overhears her supervisors announcing that they must dissect her new friend Elisa must find a way to help him escape before he is killed.
A stellar cast
The character of Elisa is played by actor Sally Hawkins.
Hawkin's is a renowned actor in the film industry and has worked on such films as "Godzilla" and "Blue Jasmine." She was nominated for Academy Awards for her roles as Ginger and Br. Vivienne Graham in both of these movies. She is extremely talented and Del Toro strongly believes that she was the best fit for the protagonist of "The Shape of Water.
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The creature is played by actor Doug Jones. Jones has worked closely with Del Toro in the past and the pair has a great working relationship with one another. He worked with Del Toro on "Pan's Labyrinth" where he played both the characters of the Faun and the Pale Man. He has also been a part of such movies as "Hellboy" and "Hellboy II: The Golden Army."
"The Shape of Water" is due to be released in US theaters on December 18. Fans of Guillermo del Toro cannot wait to see the unique relationship the director has created between Elisa and the creature.
