Movie: Fish Tank

Fish Tank, the second feature film from Andrea Arnold following 2006's Red Road, has a real-life subplot that precedes it. If you haven't heard of the movie, chances are you've heard of its star, 17 year old Katie Jarvis, a normal, non-acting teenager who was cast as Fish Tank's Mia when the director spotted her arguing with her boyfriend at Tilbury train station in Essex.

The movie went on to win the prestigious Jury Prize winner at Cannes last year, but Jarvis was notable at the festival for her absence, preferring (laudably) to stay at home with her newborn daughter.

So far, so promising, and Fish Tank doesn't disappoint. Set in a council estate in Barking, east London, it chronicles the tale of 15 year old Mia, excluded from school, friendless and utterly despondent. When her mother brings home new man Connor (the incredibly charismatic Michael Fassbender), his Irish charm and infinite patience look set to bring peace to her imploded family unit. But all is not, of course, as it seems.

A character study rather than a drama, Fish Tank is deliberately thin on plot, but doesn't suffer for it. Featuring in every scene, Jarvis is excellent - utterly believable and vulnerable despite her constant vitriol and the kind of attitude that could put anyone off having kids in case they end up like her.

Like a washed up Essex Pamela Anderson, Mia's mother (a perfect Kierston Wareing) is constantly reaching for the next glass of wine, and about as affectionate to her kids as a wet fish - a symbol which has its own significance within the movie. And look out for Rebecca Griffiths, whose turn as Mia's little sister Tyler is incredible and often hilarious, all foul-mouthed wit delivered with a gravelly Essex accent that belies her youth.

Fish Tank uses its location perfectly, with rambling moments when Mia's ever flailing sense of purpose and self control evaporate entirely set in wasteland and crop fields. Soundtracked by main roads, barking dogs and hip hop, this is 8 Mile for the ASBO generation.

Imbued with booze and sex, the violence is thankfully sparse when it could have been literally heavy handed, and this lends the movie a grey and vaguely threatening dulled edge that is one of its finest points. This is real life - it's not glamourous, it's often boring and it's pretty damn depressing if you think about it too much. But hope based in love, however brutal, remains at the heart of Fish Tank and allows it to pack a different kind of punch that's strangely uplifting.

Check out screening times near you at odeon.co.uk and watch the official trailer below.




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