Is this what passes for "Best Picture" these days?

Yes, the cinematography is wonderful, casting is perfect, acting is on point, and the soundtrack is quite nice. Even the story is creative and unique, albeit goofy to the point of idiotic. And that's the main issue with this film, the screenplay.

There are a few nice sentiments concerning alienation and finding your voice via love, but everything decent and good is trapped within a story that feels like a bad episode of the X-Files. For those who enjoy reading deeply into incredibly shallow art, this film will probably seem like Shakespeare.

Don't get me wrong, I've certainly enjoyed my share of bad movies - but I always recognize them for what they are. It irks me when a poorly constructed mess is touted as a masterpiece. The Shape of Water is at times entertaining, but it's often just downright stupid.