I really didn't know what to expect from this film, although I had seen trailers and had read the glowing reports in People and Entertainment Weekly. One has to suspend all belief in reality to enjoy it. But what makes this movie so special is the cinematography and the directing of Guillermo Del Toro. Elisa is a mute who mops floors and cleans the toilets with Zelda in the large OCCAM corporation. It is there in 1962 that THE ASSET is brought, a green/blue sea monster from the Amazon. Elisa is drawn to him, gains his trust, and, eventually, offers herself to him. The cold war machinations of Russians vs. the members of the corporation provide the crux of the action in the film. The acting performances are strong, especially Richard Jenkins as Elisa's gay neighbor. I like the movie, but I would not rank it as the best to walk away with the Oscar.
Cast
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Sally Hawkins
as Elisa Esposito
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Michael Shannon
as Strickland
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Octavia Spencer
as Zelda
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Richard Jenkins
as Giles
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Doug Jones
as Amphibian Man
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Michael Stuhlbarg
as Mr. Robert Hoffstetler
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Lauren Lee Smith
as Elaine Strickland
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Nick Searcy
as General Hoyt
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David Hewlett
as Fleming
Director
I really didn't know what to expect from this film, although I had seen trailers and had read the glowing reports in People and Entertainment Weekly. One has to suspend all belief in reality to enjoy it. But what makes this movie so special is the cinematography and the directing of Guillermo Del Toro. Elisa is a mute who mops floors and cleans the toilets with Zelda in the large OCCAM corporation. It is there in 1962 that THE ASSET is brought, a green/blue sea monster from the Amazon. Elisa is drawn to him, gains his trust, and, eventually, offers herself to him. The cold war machinations of Russians vs. the members of the corporation provide the crux of the action in the film. The acting performances are strong, especially Richard Jenkins as Elisa's gay neighbor. I like the movie, but I would not rank it as the best to walk away with the Oscar. 