Each week this column will highlight one winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, progressing chronologically until all winners have been discussed. There will be a brief discussion of the film itself followed by a mention of what we wish won from the nominees in the given year (though in many cases there were films that were superior in terms of quality and/or impact that were not nominated). This week’s entry is The Shape of Water (2017).

When I say movie magic, this is what I mean. Winning over even the most apprehensive of people I’ve introduced it to (including myself, as I came into it a bit wary having not been a big fan of Pan’s Labyrinth), The Shape of Water, in Guillermo del Toro’s expert hands, is able to find the wonder in all of life, creating a production made entirely of aspects that couldn’t fit anywhere else but are perfectly attuned to the film and able to transform fish-fucking into a universal love story and a love letter to cinema. Every time I watch it, my love for it becomes deeper and I feel ready to go out into the world and fall in love all over again, the deeper secrets of that wonderful, horrible feeling revealed once more. 

The Real Best Picture:

There have been times where I supported half of the nominees as the deserving winner but The Shape of Water has only continued to grow in my estimation and was certainly a very deserved win. Far and away the best to take home the prize since The Departed and one of the best overall.

Best Picture Winners 2017 academy awards best picture guillermo del toro oscars pans labyrinth the departed the shape of water