The Shape Of Water LFF Review: 8 Ups & 2 Downs

7. The Gorgeous Cinematography

Anyone who's seen the trailer will be well aware that this is an absolutely beautiful film to look at, in large part because of the impeccable production design, but mostly due to Dan Laustsen's sumptuous cinematography.

Laustsen has collaborated with del Toro on Mimic and Crimson Peak in the past, but this is by far their most fruitful work together.

Aided by slick camerawork and del Toro's trained eye for entrancing visuals, Laustsen juxtaposes the warmth of Elisa's apartment with the cold, sterile aesthetic of the government laboratory where the Asset is housed to scintillating effect.

Pretty much any isolated frame of the film could be hung on a wall proudly, and if it doesn't land an Oscar nod for its lensing, something's gone horribly wrong. It should still totally lose to Roger Deakins' work on Blade Runner 2049, though (because everyone should at this point).