Elisa is a mute woman who lives in an apartment above an old movie theater and across the hall from her best friend Giles (portrayed by Richard Jenkins), who's a frustrated gay artist. She works nights as a cleaner in a research center. What Elisa lacks in conversation, her co-worker Zelda (portrayed by Octavia Spencer) makes up for with her continual sometimes complaining, cursing and amusing chatter while they work together.
Elisa is fascinated by the creature which she attempts to communicate with while Strickland (portrayed by Michael Shannon) treats it with cruelty and contempt. The creature listed as Amphibian Man is portrayed by Doug Jones who's been in other films by del Toro.
I don't want to say much more about the plot except that it's somewhat based on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.
I really enjoyed it for the humor, creativity, mystery, action, romance and that it also made you think about what's communication, acceptance and connection between people and other living beings.
One thing is that it's somewhat a dark film and most of what happens takes place at night.
Here are some quotes from this film:
“The sirens wake you up? There was a fire. The chocolate factory. Do you smell that? Oh my! Toasted cocoa. Tragedy and delight, hand in hand.” —-Giles ( Richard Jenkins)
“If farts were flattery, honey, he’d be Shakespeare.”—-Zelda about her husband Brewster (Octavia Spencer)
“It’s eternal, see? Tantalus never achieved the escape of death because the fruit on the branches was just always out of his reach and the water in the stream receded every time he stooped down to drink. And so that’s why we say things today like...”Look at those tantalizing pies.””—-Giles, who is also beguiled by the pie seller.
“Oh, God, to be young and beautiful. If I could go back to when I was 18, I didn’t know anything about anything, I’d give myself a bit of advice....I would say “Take better care of your teeth and fuck a lot more.””—-Giles
“Will you look at this? Look. Some of the best minds in the country, peeing all over the floor in this here facility....There’s pee freckles on the ceiling. How’d they get it up there? Just how big a target do they need, you figure? They get enough practice that’s for sure.”—-Zelda
“Oh, no. A man washes his hands before or after tending to his needs. It tells you a lot about a man. He does it both times...points to a weakness in character.”—-Strickland (Michael Shannon)
“They way he looks at me he does not know what I lack or how I am incomplete. He sees me for what I am as I am. He’s happy to see me every time every day. And now I can either save him or let him die.” —-Giles verbalizing Elisa’s signing
Here are some scenes from this film:
Here's the official trailer for this film:
