Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Tony D. (A) on October 30, 2010 at 07:33:21

Directed by Andrea Arnold who did 'Red Road' a few years back.

15 year old Mia, played by Katie Jarvis her younger sister and Mum live in an Essex housing estate, this 'family' being in a beyond redemption state of dysfunction and psychic discomfort.

Mia wants to be a dancer, her Mum wants someone to care about her and believes she has found this someone in the charmingly Irish Connor, played by Michael Fassbender.

'Fish Tank' is not the best film I've ever seen but for some reason I was completely taken with it, at times while watching it I kept wondering where they found these actors and how could actors this young be so convincing and craft-ful.

In the case of Katie Jarvis who had never acted before or had any training it transpires that the Director saw her having a heated argument with her boyfriend in a London tube station and chose her for the Mia character on the spot.

'Fish Tank' is difficult to watch at times but worth seeking out, my biggest complaint comes at the very end of the film but I'll leave it to the viewer to decide if they agree.


J.B.