Little Fish
Written by Jacquelin Perske
Directed by Rowan Woods
First Look
2006
Rating:


"Little Fish" is a different kind of addiction drama. Though not steeped in the stark naturalism of "Down to the Bone" and that film's depiction of recovery, Rowan Woods' sophomore feature eschews most of the clichιs of drug movies in favor of a story that's more character-oriented and more interested in the interactions between a recovering addict and the people around her that could send her back down the spiral of heroin use.

Though Tracy (Cate Blanchett) has been clean for several years now, she's still struggling to prove she's no longer a junkie. Tracy is on the verge of becoming a partner at the Vietnamese video store she co-manages, but her promotion is requisite upon her securing a loan from banks that still view her as a financial risk. Her mother Janelle (Noni Hazzlehurst) remains worried that Tracy will slip back into addiction at any time, especially since Tracy continues to visit her ex-stepfather Lionel (Hugo Weaving), a former rugby star destroyed about his heroin dependence. Meanwhile, Tracy's brother Ray (Martin Henderson) is on the verge of a major drug deal that could put him at odds with gay local drug lord Brad "The Jockey" Thompson (Sam Neil).

The most serious threat to Tracy's sobriety comes from the return of her ex-boyfriend and drug partner Jonny (Dustin Nguyen). Following a car accident that caused Ray to lose the lower part of his left leg, Jonny was sent by his family into a four-year exile in Vancouver. He now returns claiming to be a stockbroker and maintaining his love for Tracy.

The various plot convolutions and drug heist that mar the otherwise naturalized story are redeemed by the exceedingly excellent performances from everyone involved. Weaving and Henderson prove to be the biggest revelations. Though a veteran of such Australian indie films as "The Interview" and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," Weaving is largely known in the U.S. for his work in the "Matrix" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogies and "V for Vendetta." His performance here is transformative as he portrays an aging junkie who's deeply repentant for his sins, but who can't keep from committing them. Henderson, apparently the only New Zealand-born actor who didn't appear in "LOTR," has struggled in roles in "The Ring," "Torque" and Britney Spears' video for "Toxic," but proves himself to be a young actor of surprising sensitivity.

As usual, Blanchett shines. In her first Australian film since 1997's "Oscar and Lucinda" announced her greatness, Blanchett digs deep into her role as Tracy, displaying the fragility of post-heroin life with subtlety and grace. She isn't afforded the more showy portrayal of Tracy's years of sex and drugs and going through detox, but Blanchett and Woods prove that there's plenty of drama, not just in the sinking, but in trying to swim.

Posted Thursday, March 2, 2006

Link to this review:
http://filmzeus.pressbin.com/film/little.fish