Andreas Arnold's new film Fish Tank (2010) provides a unique glimpse into the scourge of poverty. It's set mainly in the projects of Essex, amidst run-down buildings, overgrown highways, and strangely enough, pristine wind turbines (more on them later). Given this depressing milieu, it is understandable that Mia (Katie Jarivs), the film's fifteen-year-old protagonist, is so angry.
Her mother brings home random men, she is a social outcast and we learn that she is about to be shipped off to boarding school, but Mia dreams of escaping these proletarian circumstances. Wehn she is not arguing with her mother, she spends her time practing her dance moves in an abandoned, apartment building. It is during an impromptu dance session in her kitchen when Mia meets Connor, another one of her mother's guesthouses, played by Michael Fassbender who play Lt. Archie Hicox in Inglourious Basterds.
There is an immediate connection between the volatile Mia and the affectionate Connor. Connor takes a paternal interest in Mia, something we gather her mother's usual friends don't bother with. Mia certainly enjoys her role as Connor's new-found daughter, but it is obvious that she is also physically attracted to Connor. As the film progresses, Connor continues to nurture Mia and her younger sister, providing them with the fatherly love they have missed their entire lives. Connor is excellent in the role--almost too good. Ultimately, Mia's desires win out, and the newly constructed family is over just as quickly as it was established.
And now back to the wind turbines. When I noticed these white propellers situated in the middle of the Essex projects, I couldn't help from thinking about The Great Gatsby, another commentary on social class, and the the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg. These turbines, like Eckleburg's eyes, are consistently hovering above the landscape. They remind us of the dichotomy between those with the luxury to worry about issues such as energy consumption, and the families in these projects that are simply focused on feeding themselves.
Arnold amplifies the message during one scene where Mia's younger sister and her sister's friend are watching television. I don't think it is a coincidence that they are tuned in to MTV, which just happens to be airing an episode of Cribs. Although subtle, it provides one of the most poignant moments of the film, as these two young girls are transfixed by the foreign world displayed on the television. But, we see the star of the show as a fool in contrast to the two young girls. Even though it is not the central message of the film, it is hard to ignore these delicate renderings of what, perhaps, and equally promiscuous British politician might call the "Two Englands."
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A note of on the format:
I watched Fish Tank at home through IFC On Demand. Normally, I would loathe the idea of watching a theatrical release on television or, even worse, a computer. However, the chances of this film playing in my area was remote, and I didn't want to want six months for the DVD release. I would never want to replace the experience of watching a film in the cinema, but I think this format might caught on and provide smaller films like Fish Tank a greater audience.
1 comment:
This film is worth watching just to watch Katie Jarvis' portrayal of Mia. As R.G. suggested, her anger is so personal and deep. It's one of the more powerful performances I've seen from a teenager in recent memory. Much has been made of Jarvis' background- she was discovered for this role while having an argument with her boyfriend at a train station. She's a high school dropout and an unwed teenage mother from humble beginnings. Perhaps this is the source of the authenticity of her character.
But regardless of her personal background, Jarvis is a truly captivating actress to watch on the screen. After watching a film like Fish Tank, it makes you wonder how anyone could derive meaningful commentary about teenage angst from the likes of Ellen Page.
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