Review: 'Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work' by Ian Nathan

I have been in love with Guillermo del Toro's mind since I first saw Pan's Labyrinth. According to some I might have been to young for it, but being only a few years older than its main character Ofelia, I was actually the perfect audience for its blend of horror and fantasy, it's combination of reality and magic. I have seen many of del Toro's other films since and never lost that love. Naturally Ian Nathan's deep-dive would be the perfect read for me. Thanks to Quarto Publishing, White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pub. Date: 11/9/2021
Publisher: Quarto Publishing - White Lion Publishing

Widely regarded as one of the most imaginative directors working in cinema today, Guillermo del Toro has built up a body of work that has enthralled movie fans with its dark beauty and edge-of-the-seat set pieces.

In this book, acclaimed author Ian Nathan charts the progression of a career that has produced some of contemporary cinema’s most revered scenes and idiosyncratic characters. This detailed examination looks at how the strands of del Toro’s career have woven together to create one of modern cinema’s most ground-breaking bodies of work.

Delving deep into del Toro's psyche, the book starts by examining his beginnings in Mexico, the creative but isolated child surrounded by ornate catholicism and monster magazines, filming stop motion battles between his toys on a Super-8 film camera. 

It follows him to film school, where we learn of his influences, from Kafka to Bunuel, and explores his 1993 debut Cronos, the independent horror debut which draws on the religious and occult themes which would recur throughout del Toro's work.

It goes on to cover his development as a director with 1997's Mimic, his blockbuster success with the Hellboy films and goes on to study the films which have cemented his status as a legendary auteur, Oscar award winners Pan's Labrynth and The Shape of Water, as well as his sci-fi masterpiece Pacific Rim, as well as looking at his exciting upcoming projects Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.

An enlightening look into the mind of an auteur blessed with a singular creative vision, Guillermo del Toro analyses the processes, themes and narratives that have come to be recognised as distinctly del Toro, from practical effects to an obsession with folklore and paganism. It looks into the narrative techniques, stylistic flourishes and creative decisions which have made him a true master of modern cinema.

Presented in a slipcase with 8-page gatefold section, with scores of illuminating photographs of the director at work on set as well as iconic stills from his films and examples of his influences, this stunning package will delight all Guillermo del Toro devotees and movie lovers in general.

Few filmmakers are as open about their passion and craft as Guillermo del Toro. He is an unashamed fanboy, a man who loves comics, films, and books. He does not hide his inspirations, never belies the brilliance of other people's work. While all these influences inspire him, he has his own tone and style that bleeds through in every single project he has worked on. Whether it is a superhero movie (pre-Marvel) like Blade II, a balls-to-the-wall funride like Pacific Rim, or a beautiful yet clinic analysis of fascism, like The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth, it is all sumptuous and full of depth. So how does he do it? How does he move so freely between genres? How does he recover from losing out on The Hobbit or his hoped for The Count of Monte Cristo? Ian Nathan to the rescue with many answers and suggestions! His Guillermo del Toro is full of passion and admiration, quoting extensively from del Toro's own interviews and thoughts and paying close attention to the details of his films. Throughout each of these chapters we get the voice of del Toro himself, giving us insights into the life events that occurred alongside his creations. What stood out to me most,  however, was the strong thread of creative friendships throughout del Toro's career. He is no jealous auteur, not the kind of genius who side-eyes other people's creations. He collaborates, takes feedback, enjoys pushback and gives support himself. 

Guillermo del Toro is roughly divided by his films, dedicating a chapter to each that chronicles the joys and struggles of creating the film, the nastiness of the Hollywood business, the painstaking process of crafting his elaborate sets, and the sometimes instantaneous bursts of creativity del Toro is capable of. Starting of with a chapter on the man himself, his childhood in Mexico with a bohemian mother and a strictly religious grandmother, we get a sense of the violence he witnessed on the streets and the beauty he found in monsters. It all comes together to inspire his first film, Cronos. Nathan explains the long journey to this film, the budget issues, the industry constraints, the friendships forged and the lessons learned. His next film, Mimic, saw him attempt working in Hollywood to unhappy results. Working under an unpleasant Bob Weinstein, del Toro learned some tough lessons but was not defeated. Nathan then tracks the depth in The Devil's Backbone and the fun and expertise behind Blade II. Hellboy (the first and the sequel) remains a fun riot full of depth and details, a story of a truly human demon. Pan's Labyrinth must remain my eternal favourite and it truly feels like a film in which so many things came together for del Toro. It was followed by a slow period, however, full of unfinished projects and frustrated dreams. But Pacific Rim came in to bust through any creative and financial blocks that may have been in del Toro's way. Crimson Peak was another highlight for me, a lover of Gothic literature, a film full of ghosts, but about ghosts. Nathan's penultimate chapter focuses on the triumph that was The Shape of Water, a stunning film in which many of the lessons we see del Toro learn come together. A final chapter focuses on his upcoming films, Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio. 

Ian Nathan does a brilliant job at guiding a reader through the labyrinth of Guillermo del Toro and his work. For a man who is so open about his creative process, del Toro is surprisingly difficult to encapsulate in a single sentence due to his broad work. Does he make fantasy films? or is he a gore-lover? Is it all big machines and pretty houses? Or is it thoughts on fascism and masculinity? Nathan is a capable guide, letting del Toro's own statements speak for themselves but providing the right kind of background and callbacks to help the reader understand the man. He is also not afraid to criticize the man, however, which is key in a book like this, which can too easily stray into mindless fawning. He picks out the lessons del Toro had to learn, the potential flaws in certain films, and the way in which del Toro's extensive world-building and attention to detail can overpower a plot. But this just makes for a fascinating show of progress and development. White Lion Publishing was kind enough to send me a physical copy of the book and I'm utterly delighted to let you know it is absolutely stunning. The book is protected by a beautiful slipcase adorned with the same stunning cover. The book is easy to hold, despite it's size and is beautifully bound, which makes it easy to leave through. The images cover entire pages or form a sort of collage, fitting very well with Nathan's text on the page. It gives you the impression of a scrapbook, or, even better, of del Toro's own leather notebooks in which he jots down his ideas. It makes Guillermo del Toro both beautiful to look at and interesting to read. 

I give this book...

5 Universes!

Ian Nathan's Guillermo del Toro is an invaluable insight into this master's work and life. It is a must for any del Toro fan, but also an intriguing read for anyone interested in the art of film-making, the pressure of creation, and the endless corridors of a master's mind.