In short, it's a fantasy about a mute woman who falls in love with a magic sea creature about to be killed in a federal lab, which she eventually rescues. Pure fantasy and story book material, but done with intensity and emotion that transcended the genre, for me. A dark intensity throughout, and significant suspension of disbelief for all the magical aspects. Definitely worth seeing if you have any tolerance for fantasy film -- anxiety throughout. The villain is amazing, human and loathsome at once.