A 15-year-old dropout aspiring to be a dancer finds herself tempted by her mother's new boyfriend in Fish Tank, a 2009 British film from Oscar-winning director Andrea Arnold (the short film Wasp, 2003). The emotionally complex drama features a great performance from first-time actress Katie Jarvis, as well as a strong performance by everybody's latest man-crush Michael Fassbender.

The drama works at a slow boil as the foulmouthed Mia (Jarvis) finds herself attracted to handsome Connor (Fassbender), despite her age and lack of polish. The movie plays out as a will-they-won't-they, with it unclear whether Connor is also interested in Mia or he's simply showing an interest in her for her mother's sake.

Well-acted and beautifully directed, Fish Tank is a very good movie. Recommended.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.