Fish Tank

johnny_ultimate

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232776/

Thought this was a pleasant surprise. Despite usually being bored silly by British 'social realist' cinema (yes, England is a grim place, we get it) and the main protagonist initially appearing to be an irritating stereotype of contemporary teenagers (aggressive, hip hop dancing cynic) the film definitely grew on me. Michael Fassbinder is superb as usual, and Katie Jarvis adds a lot of depth to a character who becomes more interesting and likable as the story progresses. Some great performances, some powerful sequences (

the family 'dance-off', a ridiculously uncomfortable sex scene

), and simple but effective theme of dreams of freedom not always matching reality. Some missteps

(the kidnapping tangent is a bit OTT)

but a simple, engrossing and ultimately uplifting (without ever becoming sentimental).

Aurora Borealis

Saw this film in the Galway Film Fleadh and I have to say I found it somewhat lacking and I do like "social realism" type films, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach et al. It did have many of the characteristics of such films that I like, gritty, hardhitting, thought provoking but I found Michael Fassbenders character incredibly weak and her mothers role wholly underdeveloped.

One part that does stick out for me is the story surrounding the traveller horse. I did find that very touching. The family dance off however I found utterly farcical

.

johnny_ultimate

Aurora Borealis wrote: »

Saw this film in the Galway Film Fleadh and I have to say I found it somewhat lacking and I do like "social realism" type films, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach et al. It did have many of the characteristics of such films that I like, gritty, hardhitting, thought provoking but I found Michael Fassbenders character incredibly weak and her mothers role wholly underdeveloped.

One part that does stick out for me is the story surrounding the traveller horse. I did find that very touching. The family dance off however I found utterly farcical

.

I see where your coming from with the underdeveloped mother character, but I think her relative lack of influence was an important part of the film. She isn't a significant, influential part in her daughters life - she is more interested in her selfish desires than the welfare of what are apparently two unwanted kids. Her lack of interest hasn't had a positive impact, and she isn't a complex character, which is why her relative simplicity somewhat works thematically IMO, although again I do see your point.

The horse scenes stood out to me too, more effectively handled than the similar imagery in Garage. The symbolism and parallels to the main character here hit harder than the slightly forced ambiguity in Garage. The dance off might have been a forced too, but it's strangely touching at the same time. As someone who usually wouldn't have any time for hip hop dance or the absurd growth of the subculture in recent years here, I think the scene kind of got across the appeal of the culture. Here are three people who don't understand each other communicating for a single moment, and it's slightly touching if a little silly

. As said, I did have issues with the film -

the romance subplot felt a little half-assed at the best of times too

- but overall I thought it worked pretty well.