Review of Fish Tank (2009) by Omar L — 18 Mar 2010

Newcomer Katie Jarvis is perfect in her role as 15 year old Mia. Maybe itâ??s because her character isnâ??t such a far cry from her own surroundings. A casting director spotted her having a loud argument with her boyfriend outside a train station near her hometown of Essex. Her character Mia is a young British girl living in a housing estate within Essex with her mother and little sister. Her life is heading nowhere pretty quickly until her Mom brings home a new boyfriend played by Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds). He does an excellent job as well & I think heâ??s on the verge of breaking out into some big leading roles.

This Indie film is grounded in some bittersweet reality, at once harsh and tender. We see life through Miaâ??s eyes with no thoughts or narration to reveal what lies within or ahead of her. Sheâ??s a bit of a mystery in the beginning, but as we see more of Mia we grow to like her and understand her. This film is life with no soundtrack or stereotypes of Hollywood breathing out clichés. It contains everything this girl is feelingâ?¦ love, hate, anger, sadnessâ?¦ it expresses it beautifully throughout in ways most films could only hope for in one scene. Recently a female director made history by taking home the Oscar for best director. I think we may have another one to add to that short list in the future with British director Andrea Arnold. Best film of 2010 so far. 10/10 from me.