Review of Fish Tank (2009) by Tony P — 08 Mar 2014

Fish Tank is the story of 15 year old Mia Williams who lives on a sink council flat estate in Essex, England.

We see the 'Broken Britain' conditions of poverty, sexual orgies, appalling language and underage alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking that is her lifestyle.

One day her single mother brings home a new boyfriend Connor played by Michael Fassbender. Mia develops sexual tensions between herself and Connor.

Eventually the sexual tension leads to a full on sexual encounter. Connor apparently not realising that Mia is only fifteen years old.

Connor is so disgusted with himself that he leaves Mia's mother and returns to his ex-wife and family in their Tilbury home.

Fassbender's acting repertoire holds no bounds it seems. From an early role in UK television drama Holby City to Hollywood roles in X-Men: First Class and 12 Years A Slave.

The only other cast member I recognised in this gritty British film was Kirsty Branning off another UK television show Eastenders!

The film has elements of lower class England seen in Ken Loach films.

Mia meanwhile escapes the filthy lifestyle that she inhabits with a member of the travelling community in a Volvo he has scraped together.

The Only Way Is Essex....not it appears.

Decent British film alright for a late night on BBC 2 perhaps.