Fish Tank

Name: Fish Tank
Genre: Drama
Released: January 15, 2010
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing

2010

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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Fish Tank

Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: January 15, 2010

Starring: Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing

Summary: The film is an emotionally stunning coming-of-age story, electrified by the breakthrough performance of its young star Katie Jarvis. Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her, without any creative outlet for her considerable energies save a secret love of hip-hop dance. When she meets herThe film is an emotionally stunning coming-of-age story, electrified by the breakthrough performance of its young star Katie Jarvis. Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her, without any creative outlet for her considerable energies save a secret love of hip-hop dance. When she meets her party-girl mother’s charming new boyfriend Connor, she is amazed to find he returns her attention, and believes he might help her start to make sense of her life. A clear-eyed, potent portrait of teenage sexuality and vulnerability, Fish Tank confirms writer/director Arnold’s status as one of the leading figures of new British cinema. (IFC Films)… Expand

Director: Andrea Arnold

Genre(s): Drama

Runtime: 123 min

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Awards & Rankings

31	#31 Best Movie of 2010

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Arnold deserves comparison with a British master director like Ken Loach. Read full review

Ian Buckwalter

Andrea Arnold has crafted a scene that approaches a literal embodiment of the term "kitchen-sink drama" here is most likely coincidence; nevertheless, her film is a bold new entry in that long-standing British tradition of disquieting social realism. Read full review

David Edelstein

Arnold's first feature, "Red Road" (2006), centers on another outsider, a woman who monitors security cameras. The film is formally brilliant, but it doesn't have the breathtaking openness of Fish Tank. Read full review

Steven Rea

It's oppressive and claustrophobic, confused and scary in there. But it's also compellingly real. Read full review

Ray Bennett

The film belongs to Jarvis, however, and she makes the most of it with expressive features that convey Mia's mixed-up emotions from raging temper to sweet vulnerability. She will go far. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Arnold generally steers clear of cinematic melodrama, and Jarvis infuses the entire film with the sort of kinetic spirit that heralds a new talent. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

A grimy kitchen-sink melodrama with an Ajax cleanser script: The muck is all surface, the turmoil cleanly shallow and contrived, though never less than gripping. Read full review

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User Reviews

cameronmorewood

Aug 3, 2013

I love this movie. Watching these slummy British people living their lives is so real it's devastating. It's also bitingly funny, naturally tender, and sometimes exhilarating.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

mattscieszka

May 17, 2011

The British film Fish Tank is a rare movie-going experience, in that we the viewer move from simple voyeurs to the feeling that we are participating in the story to, finally, the feeling that we are the main character, somehow trapped in the same existence and the same feelings ofThe British film Fish Tank is a rare movie-going experience, in that we the viewer move from simple voyeurs to the feeling that we are participating in the story to, finally, the feeling that we are the main character, somehow trapped in the same existence and the same feelings of hopelessness and despair that permeate her life. The her I refer to is Mia (Katie Jarvis), a 15 year old teen living a pretty lousy life in Essex with her little sister Tyler (Rebecca Griffiths) and her single, party-going mother (Kierston Wareing). The three of them co-exist in a flat that is always dirty and they speak to each other with no hint that they are a family â… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

PersonWithAHat

Nov 22, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There is a three reasons that this film apparently works. 1) It is completely unexpected, such as Mia bumping uglies with Connor, little Tyler literally swearing and giving herself health problems when we see her and her friend smoking and drinking, or when Connor's little daughter falling into the river and or ten seconds, all that Mia can do is look in horror how she'll survive the icy water. 2) Katie Jarvis. That **** can definitely act for sure, it almost looks like that Mia isn't a character, but rather Katie Jarvis' persona. 3) Michael Fassbender. Around this period of his life, he really was blossoming into his acting, after proving he is very good in Hunger, that it's scary. Plus, he is so good-looking and sexual, that he sizzles to Mia to the point where he has sex with her. Plus, with this particular scene, it proves that Michael Fassbender will do anything to get particularly noticed by the big awards, like Oscars, Golden Globes, etc, even if it means that he has to have sex with a girl half his age (Fish Tank), show off his genitalia and anus (Hunger), get a silly mustache (A Dangerous Method), or even have sex with a hundred girls and his character's sister (Shame), or so I've heard.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Sindri

Feb 20, 2011

Lyrical social drama - Andrea Arnold's second feature is a throbbing and turbulent contemporary drama from one of Britain's less appealing suburbs that tells the story about 15 year old Mia, a vital and somewhat bewildered girl living on a council estate in Essex, England with her motherLyrical social drama - Andrea Arnold's second feature is a throbbing and turbulent contemporary drama from one of Britain's less appealing suburbs that tells the story about 15 year old Mia, a vital and somewhat bewildered girl living on a council estate in Essex, England with her mother and little sister Tyler, which she argues more than talks to. Mias rebellious personality has made her more or less friendless and the only thing that gives her confidence is her passion for dancing, but the day her mother introduces her daughters for her new boyfriend Connor life opens new doors for Mia. Andrea Arnold returns after her uncompromising debut "Red Road" (2006) and shows her talent for social realistic storytelling. With consistent hand-held camera movements and intimately 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 color. Othervise the witted dialog, the long takes, the variations in pace, the frequent use of close-ups, the authentic depictions of milieu, the versatile perspectives and Andrea Arnold's characteristic fascination for town blocks are still present. Arnold is clearly inspired by Ken Loach and her story about the alienated teenage girl that discovers her sexuality while she's looking for foothold in a cynical world is reminiscent of films such as Lynne Ramsay's "Ratcatcher" (1999), Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's "Rosetta" (1999), Catherine Hardwike's "Thirteen" (2003) and Cate Shortland's "Somersault" (2004).

"Fish Tank" is social realism in it's purest form and a powerful coming-of-age tale about a fierce stubborn girl that persistently keeps alive her dream of becoming a professional dancer despite the fact the her reality makes her dream look like an illusion. Andrea Arnolds heroine is emotionally distant, covers her feelings behind a rouge image and articulates in a disrespectful and hostile way. The pitiless reality she lives in has hardened her and placed at dark cloud over her prospects. Debutant Katie Jarvis gives everything she's got in the role as Mia, goes the distance and creates a multifaceted character portrayal that's full of attitude. Many of the films finest, most honest and most intense moments manifests in the scenes between Jarvis and Michael Fassbender "The Hunger" (2008). "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 seem like utopia. This is a lyrical film about breaking free from ones own limitations and find ones own identity.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

worleyjamers

Feb 24, 2013

I stumbled across Fish Tank simply because Michael Fassbender is in it; I had never really heard much about it because it's a low-budget British indie film. I'm glad I came across it because it's a really good little film. Extremely realistic portrayal of a troubled family, great characters,I stumbled across Fish Tank simply because Michael Fassbender is in it; I had never really heard much about it because it's a low-budget British indie film. I'm glad I came across it because it's a really good little film. Extremely realistic portrayal of a troubled family, great characters, perfect pace, and excellent performances from Fassbender and Jarvis. I completely recommend this film!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

jessetaylor25

Apr 9, 2011

This great British film, winner of the Cannes Jury Prize, combines the likes of "Precious" and "An Education" to give us one of the grittiest and most candid looks at a teen's life since "The Basketball Diaries". Director Andrea Arnold (who brought us the indie hit "Red Road") presents aThis great British film, winner of the Cannes Jury Prize, combines the likes of "Precious" and "An Education" to give us one of the grittiest and most candid looks at a teen's life since "The Basketball Diaries". Director Andrea Arnold (who brought us the indie hit "Red Road") presents a world that is so honest and real, one we normally don't see on the screen. The film's candor, however, ultimately comes from the refreshingly flawless performances by Michael Fassbender and newcomer Katie Jarvis. Well shot and well performed, "Fish Tank" has become a staple in recent British cinema.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

mrpluto

Jan 18, 2014

two girls, that haven't any clue what they're doing. One, a mother, the other, a daughter, and a guy that's a rapist, who also has no clue what he's doing... Are undelightfully brought together by a writer, that also doesn't know what he's doing. Exciting plot elements like rape, and childtwo girls, that haven't any clue what they're doing. One, a mother, the other, a daughter, and a guy that's a rapist, who also has no clue what he's doing... Are undelightfully brought together by a writer, that also doesn't know what he's doing. Exciting plot elements like rape, and child abuse, are about to ensue in this otherwise plot-less movie. If you didn't want to see anything of substance, you've made a good choice having this movie in your queue! Enjoy!!!… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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