Review of The Amazing Catfish (2013) by Adrian S — 17 Jan 2015

Friendship (and kinship) can be forged amongst the most different of people and arise in the most unexpected circumstances. Never didactic and heavy-handed in driving this point, Catfish tells the sweet tale of Claudia, a depressed and lonely supermarket worker, whose life takes a positive turn after meeting Martha, a dying HIV-positive mother with a cute bunch of rumbunctious children in tow. Through their companionship and eventual acceptance into their family, Claudia is empowered and finds joy and meaning in her life even if it means having to put on many hats to the children, that of a mother, role figure and confidante.

Catfish's ultimate strength is in embracing differences amidst the family and in giving the definition of "family" a wide berth. It works best when revealing the characters' idiosyncrasies through its non-judgmental observational approach, offering glimpses of their daily lives, little triumphs and failures.