A very brief meditation on the film…

The first parts of this film simply depict the girl wandering. She seems to be moving about aimlessly. In a physical sense, she is. However, in a more meaningful way, she is coming closer to the depressing life that inevitably awaits her. Andrea Arnold has crafted a snapshot of a girl’s move from one phase of her existence to the next, carried out in a most painful manner. Calling this film a “coming-of-age” tale would not completely do it justice. There is a special, lucid quality to the film that creates an air of gravity. Most movies billed as “coming-of-age” pictures are often dreamy and unreal. Fish Tank, on the other hand, maintains realism without coming close to the realm of misery porn. The actors are able to tap into the true essence of the characters, eliciting emotional investment from the audience. The scenery is plain, but aesthetically pleasing, and photographed very well. Perhaps the most potent aspect of the film was the tumultuous bond between mother and daughter. Their relationship is reflective. The mother sees how she once was, while the daughter must face who she seems destined to be. I must be honest in saying that this film does not feel especially relevant to my life, but I cannot deny its quality. Anyone who has had the cold hand of reality pull them away from the perplexing state of adolescence can relate to this admirable work of cinema.