Fish Tank (2009)

Alright, Somerville Theatre, thanks for the free screening of Fish Tank! Written and directed by Andrea Arnold, the film chronicles the coming-of-age experiences of the strong-willed, foul-mouthed, 15-year-old Mia (Katie Jarvis), who lives in a run-down apartment with her withholding mother Joanne (Kierston Wareing) and younger sister Tyler (Rebecca Griffiths). Mia doesn't really have any friends and spends most of her time yelling at people around her or practicing her dancing so her dream of being in a hip hop music video can be realized. Her mother is desperately clinging to her youth and ignores her children so she can have wild parties and hook up with hot dudes, while her sister just hangs around being a kid and swearing at unexpected moments.

Joanne's most recent boyfriend, Connor (Michael Fassbender), is a charming security guard who's slightly too friendly to Mia, but seems well-intentioned. His presence encourages Mia to open up a little and spend more time with her family, and she soon develops a crush on him. He encourages her to try out for a club hiring dancers, and she works privately on her audition tape with little idea of what is actually expected of her. After trying to free his chained horse, she also begins spending time with Billy (Harry Treadaway, whom I totally didn't recognize from City of Ember), a friendly teenager who lives in a trailer with his asshole brother. These and other various day-to-day events culminate into a transformative summer for Mia, who begins to take control of her life in ways she never thought to before.

Fish Tank tells a story we've all seen in some format or another, sporting a range of elements from other recent "girl coming of age" movies like Precious and An Education. What makes it stand apart is the wonderful way in which the story is told, as well as the spectacular performance from newcomer Katie Jarvis. Almost every shot is either of Mia, or shown from her perspective, giving viewers a focused point of view and visual insight into her character; this movie shows, it doesn't really tell, and that gives credit to the intelligence of its audience. The story is completely about her but also comes from her, and Jarvis' performance is simultaneously nuanced and bold, making all this attention wholly worthwhile. Mia isn't an especially likable character for a lot of the film, but she is certainly an interesting one, and Jarvis makes her sympathetic but never a victim. This lady's got moxie, let me tell ya, even if she's not the best dancer.

The film is not without its faults: the running time is definitely too long, as the story drags at certain parts and there are a few throwaway scenes. Sometimes the narrative structure is a bit jagged and ambiguous, causing a bit of initial confusion about certain plot points. It becomes more cohesive towards the end, when the action shifts to a more tense and suspenseful mode. Fish Tank features a well-told, if familiar, story with a remarkably strong and independent young woman at the forefront. It's very thoughtfully-directed and interesting to watch, and I appreciate the level of respect Arnold shows her audience. Also there's a lot of cussing. A lot.

4/5