Head to Head – Fish Tank

I’d still be asleep because of this grim film if it wasn’t for the shock after seeing you gave it 4 undeserved stars, really – 4 stars?! Okay so I’m exaggerating, Fish Tank isn’t the worst film you’re likely to see, but I don’t think it’s amazing. Fifteen-year-old Mia is your typical Essex oxygen thief who wants to be a dancer. She’s not a likeable or easy to sympathise with character, in fact she flat out annoyed me and it’s not just because she drinks, smokes and talks trash innit. Yes I believe this film to be a realistic portrayal of the British lower class but my question is, regardless of the quality of filmmaking (insert standard technical filmmaking jargon here) the story wasn’t fresh, took all the obvious routes (especially in the relationship between Mia and her mother’s new boyfriend) and left me with a hopeless feeling about the bleak world represented here. Perhaps you would argue this as the film’s success; how easily the audience feels for Mia’s situation as she is stuck in a seemingly endless generational loop of life in public housing; but if director Andrea Arnold really wanted to blow me away with Mia’s story she might try breaking the mould that many a similar tale have followed before. In my opinion, don’t rush to see this one.

Simon Miraudo – 4/5

Now it’s over to you! What are your thoughts on Fish Tank? Let us know in the comments section below. If you would like to be featured in the next Head to Head and possibly win some free movie tickets, send your mini-reviews to us here at Quickflix!