Reviews - TIFF's Fish Tank

Ghost Writer: Michele A.

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*SPOILER WARNING

4 1/2 out of 5 shovels

In the best of all possible worlds, a parent guides a child through life, cushions her against life's bumps, and provides, to the best of her ability, a safe environment to develop and flourish.

15-year-old Mia (played by Katie Jarvis in an amazing acting debut) does not have that sort of parent. Her mother (Kiersten Wareing), a 40-ish divorcee, has little use for Katie or her pre-teen sister Tyler. She spends most of her time preening, dressing like a teenager, and going out dancing and drinking. They live in a depressing, dingy apartment in a run-down development. The two girls, left to fend for themselves, drink and smoke when their mother is out, which is most of the time. In contrast to her mother's provocative style, Mia covers up - sweatpants, track shoes, hoodies - as though in denial of her own femininity. She is easily provoked into physical altercations at the neighborhood parks, on one occasion bloodying another girl's nose. But underneath the toughness, there is a vulnerability that makes her a very appealing character.

Mia's life changes when her mother brings home a younger lover, Conner (Michael Fassbender). He moves in with them, explaining that he had been living with his mother, who threw him out. At first Mia is antagonistic toward Conner, but they soon drift into a tentative friendship, and you sense that Mia fancies him a father figure. At the very least, he is kind to her and encourages her in her desire to audition for a local dancing competition. Her mother is jealous of their developing relationship as Mia's feminity begins to flower.

One night, everything comes to a head. Mia's mother, intoxicated, falls asleep and Mia is left alone with Conner. They have both been drinking, she dances for him provocatively and their relationship becomes sexual.

When Mia awakens the next morning, Conner is gone. Angry and betrayed, she goes to his place of work, then to his home and discovers that he has been leading a double life. She is provoked into doing something dangerous, possibly lethal, and at this pivotal moment in the story you fear for her and for the innocent she has targeted.

Yet throughout all of this, you are rooting for Mia. She is unloved, with no direction, but she is a survivor. At the end of the film, she finds a solution that, in any other situation, you would think unsuitable, but for Mia, it is the only way out. You cross your fingers, say a prayer and wish her well.

Director Andrea Arnold, at the Q&A following the Toronto screening, revealed that Katie Jarvis had no acting experience or training when she was selected to play Mia. She was discovered on a train platform. Her boyfriend was across the tracks on the opposite platform, and she was yelling at him with such animation that it caught the attention of one of the film crew who was there. She was given a business card, she auditioned, and was given the role of Mia.

Katie Jarvis is a natural. She created a character that was both unlikable and, at the same time, lovable. Not an easy feat, for any actress.

This has just been released in the U.K. after doing well on the film festival circuit. No release date in North America as yet. It deserves to be seen by a wide audience - Katie Jarvis is an actress to watch.