Shape of water （2017） Guillermo del Toro fantasy/ love/ feature film
- Shape of water is an American romantic dark fantasy drama film.
- In the beginning, there is a film score with a simple melody (only accordion and flute) and the soundtrack of water. It connects with the image of the seabed. Thus, we can tell the film is about a story of water or sea. After that, the film score becomes abundant, fantasy and romantic. Maybe it because it adds some new instruments, such as string film score. Especially, the sound of the accordion is obvious and Pleasant. The monologue is also an interesting part of the film. It introduces the abstract of the story. The vocal timbre of the voiceover is an old man just like the sound we used to listen to fairy tale when we were the child. Matching with the content he says, it is obviously a fairy tale. The opening part of the film has constructed an overall atmosphere, it is a fantasy, romantic fairy tale.
- The sound of the alarm is quite interesting. It rings before the scene comes out. It makes the transition more acceptable for the audience by the Foreshadowing of sound. It also looks like drag audience to a more real place, a room, instead of staying in the seabed.
- There are lots of sounds and images to introduce the live environment of Elisa. She lives in the city rather than a countryside. Every little sound is so clear, such as the sound of cinema, water, alarm, and clock. I actually do not know the reason even I think it is so special. Until I watch the communication between Elisa and her friend, I understand. Because she is dumb. In her world, sounds are supposed to be clear. Besides, I find it is also the reason there is film score when Elisa is alone. It is a way for the director to show the feeling, personality and emotional change of Elisa. The background film score is joy and peace. Just like her, the carefree nature. Particularly, when she whistles.
- The sound of fire alarm has appeared a couple times. However, I can not understand the reason.
- The background of the film is in 1963, U.S. cold war. Thus, the overall situation is tense and dangerous and there is some film score like dark spy drama. For example, when the boss shows up with the dark film score, everybody knows that he is not a good man. The film score can tell the person without a word. Even though, the background film score for Elisa is the joy. The computation between them also can show Elisa’s carefree nature.
- Moreover, film score is the only way to show the communication between Elisa and mermen and show their emotional change. The time they meet and different period of staying together, the film score is different. It can show the process of their emotion, from nervous to enjoyable, then not willing to separate. Another way to explore this is the change of the color, from green to red.
Reference:
Matt Grobar 2017, ‘The Shape Of Water’ Composer Alexandre Desplat On The Sounds Of Love & Water, Deadline, viewed 4 September 2018, <https://deadline.com/2017/12/the-shape-of-water-alexandre-desplat-oscars-interview-1202220056/>.