Fish Tank

I heard of this indie movie through my various readings. It follows life in a lower class British neighborhood through the eyes of 15 yr old Mia. How kids survive in such an environment without parental guidance or even HOPE is amazing to me. A feeling of desperation hangs over everything this girl experiences.

Her mother is violent and abusive. She ignores her children in favor of the company of the men she brings home with her. The 'C' word flows freely between them. She has virtually NO relation with her 'growing up too soon' little sister, Tyler.


Since her home life is so bad Mia can do nothing but move between empty apartments and other places where she drinks and dances out her anger alone. She is not exactly a 'people person'. She doesn't attend school. Her ambition is to be a street dancer.

Her harsh exterior masks a deeper sense of compassion for everyone and a longing to be loved. Around her people laugh and have fun but she is never includes herself in that life. She rarely smiles.

Everyday she also tries to release a horse that is chained up. Maybe she feels an affinity with the animal and by releasing it from it's bonds, she will be releasing herself.


It's interesting that the videos on TVs constantly show her the trappings of a music lifestyle that she wants desperately but will never achieve. Like we need to point hammered home any harder that her life is a cycle of repeating hell.

When her mother's newest bf Conner (Michael Fassbender) shows her some kindness it totally messes with her world. All she knows is anger and hatred being directed towards her. He treats her with respect and asks her about herself and what she thinks about things. She can barely believe that someone like this even exists.

Despite all the confidence he gives her to believe in herself and make one step forward, her home and life situation pull her back two more.

The movie is propelled and sustained by the amazing performance of first timer Katie Jarvis who plays Mia. She was a discovered by director Andrea Arnold. She hardly seems to be acting. With a good deal of hand-held camera shots, it's like we are following an actual person through the bleak days of her life.

To tell you anymore about this film would be ruining a truly great viewing experience. It's honest and brave and exhilerating and sad and hopeful.