Review of Fish Tank (2009) by Michael C — 31 Jan 2012

In what is most assuredly a risky film to release, this film about a 15 year old who begins to have a bizarre relationship with her mother's new boyfriend (Michael Fassbender, in one of his earlier roles) is a masterfully acted and directed film.

The plot is a highly uncomfortable one, with Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender giving terrific performances as the young girl and the older man, respectively. In some aspects it was reminiscent to "An Education", but this film is much harsher and grittier in every way.

The neighborhood in which Mia, the protagonist, is raised is a vile one, very decrepit and run down. The attitude of young Katie is a biting one, as she is not very ladylike in her behavior prior to meeting the mysterious Connor, who seems to be the catalyst to awakening her dormant feminism.

And it further cements Michael Fassbender of one of the most exciting actors to have arrived in recent memory. His role is not a savory one in the least, but he attacks it with an utter lack of vanity which makes for a fantastic performance.

This is an excellent addition to the British cinema scene and feels like it takes more chances than an American film of a similar ilk would. The documentary style in which it is shot makes it all the more penetrating.