I got to watch some good movies this break: Certified Copy and Fish Tank. While Certified Copy confused me and left me with uncertainty, Fish Tank struck me with straight emotion and message. I love movie that has absolutely no answer and I consider it even better if it haunts me with its obscure theme for several days. I’m usually not that excited or impressed by the stories, unless we’re talking about Cinema Paradiso, and most of the time, I look at the dialogues, soundtracks, and cinematography. Those are the three main elements that impress me the most. However, when I was watching Fish Tank, I was mesmerized by its story, soundtracks, and cinematography. The soundtrack and cinematography were full of emotions, and they led the story so well.

Fish Tank is about a fifteen years old girl, Mia, who doesn’t have any intimate relationship with neither family nor friends. Her only passion is dancing but when she applies for the audition, she ends up at the strip club. She’s angry, precarious, cold and somewhat caring. We see all her traits and emotions in the beginning of the movie. One day Mia’s mom brings over her charming new boyfriend, Connor, and we see through Mia’s expression that she is interested or maybe even attracted to him. Conner doesn’t seem to turn down Mia’s interest either. Mia and Conner have sex one night when her mom is completely wasted, and Conner leaves the house next morning. It is fairly understandable that Connor breaks up with her mom the next day and leaves their house, but when Mia reaches him, she finds the shocking fact. 

In every movie, ending is as important as climax, and since I am type of a person who doesn’t like an intense climax, I like when the movie leaves me with peaceful sentiment. Fish Tank has a beautiful ending. After the stormy emotions in climax, it ends with optimistic resolution. Before Mia leaves her mom and sister, she sees her mom dancing to a song called “Life is a Bitch” from one of Mia’s CD. As usual, her mom tells her to “fuck off” but she stays for a minute and dances with her, and her little sister joins. The scene is just beautiful, and I don’t think they could pick a song better than that.

Fish Tank is a lingering movie. I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happen to Mia and the ending when she leaves to Wales. I was also, like Mia, charmed by Connor and I think that’s why I am still hypnotized by the story. It’s amazing how movie can unite you with a fictional character. I wouldn’t say the actors were amazing or outstanding, but they did lead the story well. I know it doesn’t make sense when I say like that, but if you see the movie, you’ll feel the same that they aren’t doing anything more than what they are capable of. I think Katie Jarvis was just doing what she normally does, and Michael Fassbender was also being as charming as he is, which was probably why they were both perfect for the roles.