Synopsis: Everything changes for 15yr old Mia when her mum brings home a new boyfriend.
Randomness: This film was Katie Jarvis’s first roll as an actress.
Why I Rented this: The film received quite a bit of press and one of my favorite blogs had good things to say about it. Even with all that. I was rather skeptical of the film and didn’t rush to put it at the top of my queue.
Thoughts: I am actually not sure if I have ever seen a film that captures the frustrations and conflicts of adolescence quite so well. Just when the kitten stickers are starting to fade off the walls of a child's room, a world of sexuality and hidden meaning comes crashing in. Mia rebels, acts out, and it seems that every choice she makes is foolish or counterproductive. When a male figure is introduced who can possibly treat her like the child-self, which she feels slipping away, and who also sees that she is becoming a woman, Mia seems almost destined for utter ruin and destruction. She is on the cusp of being capable of anything, something that is disturbing not only to Mia but to the viewer as well. The symbolism in this film can be a bit heavy but I think that this allows the viewer to see the world through an adolescent's eyes. These images work well with the rundown environment filled with disposable commodities and hopelessness.
Conclusion: I truly love this film and plan to watch it again even with the rather disturbing elements. Andrea Arnold did an excellent job with this film and it deserves every award and special mention that it has received. If your looking for a gritty film to counter other films about adolescent youth that feel exploitive, then this is by all means your film.
Also See: “Time Out London” review of “Fish Tank”
9/10