Fish Tank

This slice of Essex-estuary high-rise low-life is built around a note perfect performance from newcomer Katie Jarvis, excelling as the 15-year-old ASBO-merchant who establishes a relationship with her mother’s new boyfriend. Can both of them overcome their backgrounds and forge a truly loving bond? And what kind of love will it be? It might be kitchen-sink social-realism, but there’s a rare and lyrical idealism to the screenplay and cinematography that lifts this way above the routine. Highly recommended.