Fishbowl - Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film

Country: united_states

Year: 2020

Running time: 85

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6238528/reference

Michael says: “Speaking of troubled families, the Simon sisters have got troubles in spades. With their mother killed in a car accident about a year past, Belle, Rachel, and Jessa, along with their dad, Rick, are still dealing with grief in their own various ways. Youngest sibling Jessa hasn’t spoken since the accident, and the authority figures in her life, especially the unforgiving Catholic school that the girls all attend, are losing their patience with her. Similarly, middle sister Rachel is dismayed when her best friend tells her that her mother has forbidden her to spend time with Rachel anymore, even to come over for her birthday dinner. Oldest daughter, Belle, hangs out with the local bad boy and is caught cheating by her teacher. The severe nun has her lift her skirt in front of class to expose the answers to the test written on her thigh. Rick isn’t doing much better, as the community ostracizes the family when they appear in church, the girls in flowing, virginal white gowns. He vacillates from spurning religion altogether, to buying in to TV con man Ron Peltz who is selling salvation from the impending Rapture for only a $1,000 donation and a commitment to convert a certain number of community members to the cause.

“Despite their various temperaments and struggles, the girls form a united front, always there for each other, and trying to find safe ground with their father, who becomes more and more strict as his belief in the impending Rapture increases. Rick clearly loves his daughter and feels he is doing his best by them, even as he forces them to go door-to-door trying to gain converts, and forbidding them from attending a big costume party that they’ve been preparing for. Things escalate, the girls find no outlet form their familial prison, until the time of the Rapture takes place and there is definitely a reckoning of a sorts, leading to a dark, but hopeful conclusion to the Simon’s story.

“Sibling directors Alexa (who also costumed) and Stephen (who also edited and co-wrote) have constructed a dreamy, yet eerie debut film that hits a lot of marks. Reminiscent in the golden, gauzy look of THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, but with an eeriness inspired by such films as PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, FISHBOWL shows how grief, the scrutiny of a close-knit community, and religion can impact lives profoundly. 4 cats“

Fishbowl

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