Great review, sir. I’m in Canada and watched on Mubi, I haven’t seen much talk about it so wasn’t sure if it was released yet in UK. Likewise I’m a fan of Arnold (and would say Fish Tank is amongst my all time favorites). I don’t really like the term “magical realism” which I first heard after watching Love Lies Bleeding. But I do think the way Arnold used the fantastical to highlight the spiritual growth, connection and freedom of Bailey and Bird was inspired. She’s also extraordinary at choosing her filming locations. A fascinating film for sure
So happy to see someone else love this movie as much, and for the same reason, I did. I just finished watching it for the fourth time. Every time I see it, I understand something new, or understand something differently. It’s sad that the world’s increasingly materialist way of thinking is robbing people of imagination, and the ability to make abstract leaps. (Einstein’s great gift as a scientist was abstract thinking, his mathematical abilities sucked.) This movie requires the faith of a child, and really, so does art, in general.
You’re so right about this being the type of movie that requires the faith of a child. I love that! I’ve only seen it once. I’m definitely going to give it another watch.
Great review, sir. I’m in Canada and watched on Mubi, I haven’t seen much talk about it so wasn’t sure if it was released yet in UK. Likewise I’m a fan of Arnold (and would say Fish Tank is amongst my all time favorites). I don’t really like the term “magical realism” which I first heard after watching Love Lies Bleeding. But I do think the way Arnold used the fantastical to highlight the spiritual growth, connection and freedom of Bailey and Bird was inspired. She’s also extraordinary at choosing her filming locations. A fascinating film for sure
So happy to see someone else love this movie as much, and for the same reason, I did. I just finished watching it for the fourth time. Every time I see it, I understand something new, or understand something differently. It’s sad that the world’s increasingly materialist way of thinking is robbing people of imagination, and the ability to make abstract leaps. (Einstein’s great gift as a scientist was abstract thinking, his mathematical abilities sucked.) This movie requires the faith of a child, and really, so does art, in general.
You’re so right about this being the type of movie that requires the faith of a child. I love that! I’ve only seen it once. I’m definitely going to give it another watch.
@ personally, I found I loved it even more with each viewing. You may, too. 🙂