Fish Tank (15)
Verdict: I was hooked ****
OH Lordy. If you're looking for something light and uplifting, give Fish Tank a wider berth than Alesha Dixon dodging Arlene Phillips at the Strictly after-party.
But if you want a searingly raw piece of British drama? Roll up folks!
It's only four months since Fish Tank made a splash (arf) at this year's Cannes Film Festival - firstly for snagging the coveted Jury Prize from under the collective noses of its bigger, smugger rivals. But also because of the way director Andrea Arnold found a girl perfect for the lead role: A tough, foul-mouthed council estate lass who dreams of becoming a hip-hop dancer. Did she get on the phone to Sylvia Young? No. Instead, the crew scoured Essex for a new star and found 17-year-old Katie Jarvis on the platform at Tilbury Town station berating her boyfriend. What a stroke of luck.
Katie is fantastic as Mia, a troubled teen living in a high-rise block with mum (Kierston Wareing) and little sister Tyler (Rebecca Griffiths). Mia's life is turned upside down with the arrival of mum's new boyfriend Connor (Michael Fassbender from Inglourious Basterds). He encourages her to follow her dream and his relationship with Mia - which moves from fatherly to downright sleazy - is the film's horribly watchable core.
Fish Tank doesn't give you much to smile about. But the fact this country has the raw talent to produce a film like this is a reason to be cheerful.
OUT FRIDAY
This article has 2 comments
Arnold's use of 4:3 screen format combined with a highly effective mono sound mix makes for extremely claustrophobic viewing. She has found herself a fantastic set of collaborators in the amazing cinematographer Robbie Ryan and chief sound designer Joakim Sundström. A compelling piece of work.
By Mat C Anderton. Posted September 11 2009 at 3:37 PM.
Well done Andrea Arnold,could this film lead to Oscar no2, it should do,Brilliant performances by the established stars Michael Fassbender(inglorious Bastards)and Kirsten Wareing(Martina Cole's The Take),but combining them with raw,realistic and naturalisstic acting from the novice girls from Essex, Katie Jarvis (the star) Rebbecca Griffiths(the comedy) and Charlotte Collins (the villian) is perfect,truely a great British film. This little fish can swim with the big fish,and given the chance do well across the pond in the U.S.A. An Oscar nod for Katie Jarvis would be worthy, and this years Slumdog has been found.
By molly digby. Posted September 9 2009 at 3:37 AM.