The first trailer for the The Shape of Water has been released. The latest creation from visionary director Guillermo del Toro.
The official synopsis states “In 1963, in a hidden, high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa's life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment.”
The opening narration asks the question “if I told you about her — the princess without a voice — what would I say?” Immediately, it feels as is Del Toro is presenting us with a dark fairy tale. The classified experiment takes the form of the classic Creature, trading the Black Lagoon for a tank in a government facility. Elisa (Sally Hawkins) and this mysterious creature appear to form a bond, displaying the power of communication in all forms. It’s not hard to imagine Elisa, an outsider, feeling trapped in the anxious world of 1963. Locked in the Cold War, 1963 was a turbulent time for everyone. Doug Jones has the role of Guillermo’s Gill-man. A Del Toro favorite, Jones has been seen portraying the ghostly apparitions in the criminally underrated Crimson Peak. He also had a role in the FX series The Strain. The themes of The Creature of the Black Lagoon we know are not lost on del Toro, with his encyclopedic knowledge of the Universal monsters. How this blends as a dark fantasy with a Cold War backdrop?
I personally can’t wait to find out. Michael Shannon appears to be in the role of a scientist, his signature intensity already on display here. The film also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Octavia Spencer, and Richard Jenkins. After watching this trailer multiple times, you can’t help but wonder why Guillermo del Toro has such a hard time getting projects off the ground? The world needs more del Toro (specifically his take on the Haunted Mansion). The box office returns don’t seem to match his well earned reputation of master storyteller. Why do you believe del Toro’s films fail to reach mainstream moviegoers? Does this trailer capture your interest and perhaps more importantly your imagination?
The Shape of Water will be released on December 8th. Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor.