I have no idea how this movie managed to get so many rave reviews. To me, it is just an unoriginal movie with one-dimensional characters. Both the setting (modern fairy tale set in hostile reality) and character design (specifically the merman) appear to have been recycled from Del Toro's previous movies ''Pan's labyrinth'' and ''Hellboy'', respectively. The characters' motivations and personalities were extremely one-note, just so they can serve the plot - one stereotypical example is 'the bad guy' (why is he acting the way he does? what is his motivation apart from wanting to appear manly and dominant? does he not have any redeeming qualities whatsoever (which would make him more believable)?). The love story seems to be a sort of a modern-day retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast', however, I did not feel any chemistry between the two lead characters. How did their relationship progress from her feeding him boiled eggs to a sexual and emotional connection? I can't help assuming this movie was supposed to be way longer but some inappropriate editing took out the scenes that would help us make sense of how this inter-species love story developed. The fact that we barely learn anything about the merman is not adding to him being a sympathetic character or facilitating an emotional involvement in the plot at all. I found myself not caring about this movie at all and I am surprised that critics have described it as 'heartfelt' and 'romantic'. I'd say, watch 'Pan's Labyrinth' instead.