FISH TANK

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres is a film by Andrea Arnold and IFC Films with “Fish Tank”.

This film tells the story of Mia (Katie Jarvis), a young rebellious teen who has only two purposes in life – dancing and outrageous behavior. Living at home with her mother  (Kierston Wareing) Mia comes home one day to find a stranger.

Her mother’s new boyfriend Connor (Michael Fassbender) seems determined to bring a family atmosphere. Mia wants nothing to do with it as she concentrates on her dancing and decides to enter a contest.

Connor takes the family on outings and spends time but doesn’t speak much about where he comes from. Mia takes it all with a grain of salt and befriends Billy (Harry Treadaway), a young boy who has dreams of better things and better places to be.

Then it all comes crashing down as Connor makes a fatal mistake and then disappears leaving Mia’s mother devastated and Mia herself more anger than she has been. She begins to find out who Connor is and the answer changes her life.

FINAL WORD: This is Jarvis’ first role and she plays the rebellious role to a T. There are only one or two moments where you see her vulnerability but like an angry teen it disappears quickly.

Fassbender as Connor begins well enough. As a father figure he finds himself in an uncomfortable position and – the viewer is stunned. Since becoming more recognized with his role as Stelios in “300” and more recently as Lt. Archie Hicox in Tarantino’s production of “Inglorious Basterds”. 

Wareing plays the role of the out of touch mother but is brief. There is a final scene between mother and daughter where you see the only connection the two share – music.

This film has already been to the Cannes International Film Festival and in 2009 was the winner of the Jury Prize. It is also the winner for Best British Performance for Katie Jarvis and a BAFTA win for Outstanding British Film.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Fish Tank” two and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. It is a story that’s been done before with every detail unsurprising. That’s a shame because with the talent of Fassbender and Jarvis this could have been more riveting.

In the end no matter your age – we all make choices that change our lives.