[Quick Summary: In a 1962 top secret Baltimore facility, a mute janitor falls in love and frees an amphibian man, who the government wants to exploit.]
My two cents:
1) Pros and Cons
PRO: This script has several, very strong, three dimensional characters.
CON: The script delved into several characters' personal lives in order to show their bias against the creature. It pulled me out of the main story and felt tangential.
PRO: It is well written and very emotional on the page.
CON: Was there a purpose to the narration on p.1-2? It was confusing to me.
2) What a Non-Verbal, Developing Romance Looks Like
I did think the following montage was quite effective to show the developing intimacy between Elisa and the creature.
It's so romantic how they're learning more about each other and responding.
ex. "MONTAGE
- Five eggs. Boiling. Dancing slowly in the water.
- Elisa sets all five Boiled Eggs on the edge of the pool.
- The creature emerges. Does the sign for "egg". [He has adapted to her language.]
- Elisa chooses new records.
- Her locker room is filling up with LP's. [She's trying to figure out what he likes.]
- Elisa travels on the bus with more eggs and records. [She's making a real effort.]
- Elisa mops - a smile on her face. Zelda watches, concerned. [She shows the effects of a real relationship.]
- Elisa readies her bath - mesmerized by the water. [She thinks about him.]
- Giles watches as Elisa "borrow" extra eggs from his fridge. [Her behavior is changing.]
- Elisa packs all 7,8,9 eggs in her paper bag.
- Elisa shows a new record to the creature in the cylinder. [She brings him a gift.]
- She mops while the music plays
Quietly, Hoffstetler enters the lab just as the song ends:
The Amphibian Man bangs on the glass to ELISA and signs: "play a different record." His markings brighten. [He shows physical signs of emotional changes.]
ELISA signs- asking him to "point." The AMPHIBIAN MAN points. Elisa turns the record around. "MOONGLOW" by Benny Goodman plays.
Elisa dances in front of the cylinder. [She delights in his choice.]
The AMPHIBIAN MAN swims, delighted! [He delights in her.]
Elisa walks over and puts one hand up against the glass, slowly, the creature puts a hand up "against" hers. His markings active and color-changing. [They connect physically and emotionally.]
Her smile turns wistful. She keeps her hand there. Leans her forehead on the glass. [They show longing.]
Hoffstetler watches- a tray of raw fish in his hands- Mesmerized. Moved."
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Non-verbal romance = Showing how two souls learn and connect with each other.
The Shape of Water (2017)
by Guillermo Del Toro & Vanessa Taylor
Story by Guillermo Del Toro
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