Very disappointing...

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Initially repulsed by her mother's much younger new boyfriend, a teenage outcast finds herself slowly becoming attracted to him herself in this British drama starring first time actress Katie Jarvis. For an amateur actress, Jarvis offers quite a convincing performance with some great moments as she silently watches her mother dance in her underwear with a mix of pity and contempt. Whenever Jarvis opens her mouth though, it is hard not to squirm. Her character is written as someone so foul-mouthed, obnoxious and burning up with hate that it is hard to warm to her even when we see the upbringing that has led to be being so antisocial (she breaks another girl's nose simply for a rude remark within the first five minutes of the film). None of the other characters here are particularly likable either, and while her mother is probably the most intriguing character with her desire to still party and flirt like a teenager herself, she remains a secondary supporting character throughout. The film comes off as quite repetitive too. A kidnapping plot turn in the second half almost pulls the movie in a daringly different direction, but the potential of this subplot is never quite maximised. Between the innovative camera-work (full of shots that both walk and run with Jarvis) and desolate urban landscapes, 'Fish Tank' is a pretty good looking film, but one may find its appeal as mysterious as the title.

I feel like I've seen this movie before but I can't quite rememberOr maybe this is just how Fish Tank is able to relate to the audience. It's hands down a very realistic approach to a common story.I do love how low key the movie is. Absolutely no melodrama in anyone's performance. Very minimum story. It feels more about the flow of real life.The filmmaker makes that seem like an easy task.I don't know if there is such a thing as organic film making but this is it, no artificial flavors of preservatives.The slight bit of story focus on a 15 year girl, named Mia living in a harsh area who has a dream of being a hip hop dancer.Michael Fassbender is in the movie playing the boyfriend of Mia's mother. From the moment he comes on the screen you get the feeling of what his intentions are. Fassbender seems to do well playing the likable villain.I really like how so much was said with so little very natural.http://cinemagardens.com

I'm a 20 years old woman, and the lead character, Mia, is 15 years old. I can't help but compare her life with my life of when I was 15 years old. She doesn't go to school. she has few friends. In addition, she shows her mother a rebellious attitude. I can't believe her bad behaviors, but I can understand her feeling a little. She believes she can do anything by herself and everything is going to be all right. But the reality is not that easy. I think people grow up experiencing failures.All of this movie are so natural that I think this movie seems to be a documentary.

'Fish Tank' is at times big on symbolism. The bound horse, for instance, which represents Mia's own imprisonment in a bleak life - and she is not being smart or subtle about breaking (it) free. The fishing trip, where Mia's mother's new boyfriend Connor just grabs a fish out of the water and Mia at pretty much the same moment gets hurt. It's all a little obvious, isn't it?Then there is the story that drags on and on trying to convince us that Connor is really a nice guy, while it is clear he has his eye on Mia the second they first meet. Of course, over time (and time it takes), I was also wanting and growing to believe that he could really just be a good guy helping to guide this broken family - bang bang, Andrea Arnold shoots us all down, and pursues us with a nerve wrecking abduction that might lead to deaths of... Keira? No. Mia? No. The old horse gets it, Mia cries and makes up with the Saab hobbyist. - The end. 'Say hello to the whales for me!' O, and the audition didn't work out, but I didn't think she could dance all that well, anyway, but I'm no expert.Forgive me my sarcasm, I just had to get it off my chest to express my frustrations about seeing things coming and then getting pulled in and being surprised anyway; maybe that's Arnold wants us to feel like - like Mia? It was adequately filmed (the 4:3 ratio is remarkably easy to get used to) and the acting was quite convincing, but I'm not sure what to make of it.A small 6 out of 10.