Fish Tank Review. (Andrea Arnold)

Fish Tank is a British drama film, which was made in 2009 written and directed by Andrea Arnold, who directed the movie ‘Red Road’ previously, which The Observer said was one of the best British film in the last 25 years. ‘Red Road’ also won several awards including the jury prize at Cannes, and she made it two for two when Fish Tank walked away with the same award in 2009. The film also won a BAFTA for best British film in 2010 among others. The cast included Kierston Wareing, Harry Treadaway, Michael Fassbender who star in the movie ‘Shame’ in 2011 which gave him a nomination for a Golden Globe for best actor. The main character was Katie Jarvis who plays Mia, had no prior acting experience. She was cast for the film after one of Arnold's casting assistants saw her arguing with her boyfriend in Tilbury Town railway station, which is the station featured in the film.


Andrea Arnolds second feature is a social drama from one of Britain's less appealing suburbs that tells the story about 15 year old Mia, who live with her mother and little sister Tyler, which she argues more than talks to. Mia doesn’t have a father and only being raise by her equally lost and confusing mother.  Mia is a school dropout and very lonely with no job, no friends, no stability it is no wonder that Mia is seeking a way out. She thinks dancing might be it but without any encouragement she is left to her own to make that dream come true. But the day her mother introduces her daughters for her new boyfriend Connor life opens new doors for Mia. Things start to change between Mia and Connor when he moves into the flat.

 

Fish Tank is not the first film to depict the uneasy love triangle that can happen form when a parent bringing home a new partner. Yet Andrea Arnold does not go to a formula or stereotype of either a secret assault against someone’s will or duplicity committed on the part of a teenager or young adult. Rather Fish Tank remains an unspoken story about what happens when a girl doesn't have a father figure to point her in the right direction and changing into a young woman and seeking for love and a father figure. Mia is already dealing with an out of control neglectful parent so the instant Connor displays patience, encouragement, and most of all care. Mia’s so love starved that she would fall for anyone who would show her attention. There is both a mixture of impending danger and sweetness.

 

Andrea Arnold shows her talent for social realistic storytelling. For someone who started on a kid tv show in the 1980s as a roller skater has come a long way, winning an Oscar for her short film 'Wasp' in 2005. In Fish Tank she consistently use hand held camera movements and focus on the main character Arnold creates an accomplished character study that feels like it takes place in real time. The most obvious change from Arnold’s film style in "Red Road" is the use of colour. Otherwise the dialog, the long takes, the variations in pace, the frequent use of close ups, the authentic styles, the versatile perspectives and Andrea Arnolds love for state blocks are still present.

Katie Jarvis gives everything she's got in the role for her first movie as Mia and she goes the distance and creates a multifaceted character portrayal that's full of attitude. "Fish Tank" is a gritty depiction of society that explores strong topics, but in-between all this gravity Arnold turns the camera towards natures gracefulness and gives the viewer a little breathing space from the concentrated realism that makes the few rays of hope.