Review of Little Fish (2005) by Marina M — 26 Dec 2007

This Australian film almost defies classification. Best way I can put it is: It's a seven part character study. Some of the parts are larger than others, but they're all fully drawn, with information given to the audience in little spurts. It takes a while for you to even know who these people are, really, and how they're all related to each other. You have to pay strict attention. Nothing is ever spoon-fed to the audience in this film, and that might be why I liked it so much. It felt like I was watching a really well-written play.

I knew nothing of the movie when I first watched it (I saw it starred the AMAZING Cate Blanchett, and immediately rented it), and I think I enjoyed the movie far more because of my uninitiation. So I will spare you any unnecessary details of the plot.

Suffice it to say, however, that Cate Blanchett is her fantastic self again. This is maybe the most REAL performance I've ever seen her give (in a tie with "Notes on a Scandal"). Let me qualify that statement. Very often, she portrays real people ("Veronica Guerin") or historical figures ("Elizabeth") or a person trapped in a time period ("Charlotte Gray," "Man Who Cried"). Sometimes she gives a dead-on impression of a beloved personality ("Aviator"). Or her character operates under the cloud of abusrdist comedy ("Life Aquatic"), or she winds up in a frivolous movie in which the performance doesn't matter ("Bandits", "Pushing Tin").

But here, and in "Notes", she plays real women, living in the real world, and she uses those opportunities to keep her performances as simple and genuine and honest and REAL as possible. Cate Blanchett is the world's greatest living actress.

All the other members of the cast deliver fine performances as well, but one completely stands out. Hugo Weaving is nigh unrecognizable here, with a grizzly bear beard and bloodshot eyes and terrible fashion sense. He plays Lionel, a heroin addict trying to kick the habit. Lionel is failing miserably, both at rehab and at life. Weaving's performance is as riveting as it is heartbreaking. I honestly didn't know he was that good an actor. I wonder if he curses nailing that audition for "The Matrix." I know I can't look at him without seeing those ubiquitous sunglasses and that cheap black suit. I hope that his playing such an iconic character as Agent Smith won't continue to hold him back as an actor for much longer. He's far too talented to not be in more films.