DVD Review - Little Fish
Back in February of this year, Little Fish had a very limited release. That is too bad because it is a good film. Now that it is on DVD people will get a chance to see it.
Tracy Heart (played by Cate Blanchett) is a rehabilitated heroin addict who has gotten her life back on track. For the past four years she has been employed at a video store and has worked herself up to a managerial position. She would like to become partners with the owner and, perhaps later on, be the sole owner of the store. She applies to the bank for a loan but, because of what happened in her past, is rejected.
Further complicating things is the return of her former boyfriend Jonny (played Dustin Nguyen) who is Vietnamese and has issues of his own. Jonny is a stockbroker who has lived in Vancouver for a few years but has decided to come back to Australia because he was offered a job.
Tracy's brother Ray (played by Martin Henderson) was severely injured in a car accident a number of years ago. The driver of the car was Jonny which explains why he left for Vancouver. Ray and Jonny decide to go into the drug dealing business because it seems like an easy way to make a buck. They think that things run smoothly because of a rumor that drug kingpin Brad (played by Sam Neill) is retiring.
Ray and Tracy live with their mother Janelle (Noni Hazlehurst) because they cannot afford to live on their own. Janelle appears to be the strongest character in the film because she is holding everything together but there are a number of times when we can feel her pain.
Lionel Dawson (Hugo Weaving) is a longtime family friend who Janelle has issues with. A former professional soccer player Lionel is now an addict and he is the person who gave Tracy her first taste of heroin. Lionel has vowed to kick his habit but that is easier said than done. Lionel also happens to be gay but that aspect of his life is only touched upon.
As you can see, there are many characters in this film but all their stories are intertwined. The film deals with people who have made bad choices in their lives and are trying to turn things around. They are trying to find their place in the world. On some level, this can apply to each and every one of us. The film worked for me because I could really put myself in some of the character's shoes and you don't have to be involved in drugs to feel that way.
The film is well directed by Rowan Woods and Jacqueline Perske's screenplay is sharp. The cinematography is wonderful and I got the sense of what it would feel like to be in Australia. However, the film is a tad too long and I think that a ten minute trim would really tighten things up. But the best thing about the film is the acting which is uniformly good with the standouts being Blanchett and Weaving. Weaving's character can be funny and sad but in the end he breaks your heart. This is a small film that should not be ignored.
Tracy Heart (played by Cate Blanchett) is a rehabilitated heroin addict who has gotten her life back on track. For the past four years she has been employed at a video store and has worked herself up to a managerial position. She would like to become partners with the owner and, perhaps later on, be the sole owner of the store. She applies to the bank for a loan but, because of what happened in her past, is rejected.
Further complicating things is the return of her former boyfriend Jonny (played Dustin Nguyen) who is Vietnamese and has issues of his own. Jonny is a stockbroker who has lived in Vancouver for a few years but has decided to come back to Australia because he was offered a job.
Tracy's brother Ray (played by Martin Henderson) was severely injured in a car accident a number of years ago. The driver of the car was Jonny which explains why he left for Vancouver. Ray and Jonny decide to go into the drug dealing business because it seems like an easy way to make a buck. They think that things run smoothly because of a rumor that drug kingpin Brad (played by Sam Neill) is retiring.
Ray and Tracy live with their mother Janelle (Noni Hazlehurst) because they cannot afford to live on their own. Janelle appears to be the strongest character in the film because she is holding everything together but there are a number of times when we can feel her pain.
Lionel Dawson (Hugo Weaving) is a longtime family friend who Janelle has issues with. A former professional soccer player Lionel is now an addict and he is the person who gave Tracy her first taste of heroin. Lionel has vowed to kick his habit but that is easier said than done. Lionel also happens to be gay but that aspect of his life is only touched upon.
As you can see, there are many characters in this film but all their stories are intertwined. The film deals with people who have made bad choices in their lives and are trying to turn things around. They are trying to find their place in the world. On some level, this can apply to each and every one of us. The film worked for me because I could really put myself in some of the character's shoes and you don't have to be involved in drugs to feel that way.
The film is well directed by Rowan Woods and Jacqueline Perske's screenplay is sharp. The cinematography is wonderful and I got the sense of what it would feel like to be in Australia. However, the film is a tad too long and I think that a ten minute trim would really tighten things up. But the best thing about the film is the acting which is uniformly good with the standouts being Blanchett and Weaving. Weaving's character can be funny and sad but in the end he breaks your heart. This is a small film that should not be ignored.
posted by Film Fanatic | 7:34 PM
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