My Films Of 2009

Fish Tank

Andrea Arnold's second feature (after Red Road) is my favourite film of the year. It features a stunning central performance by unknown Katie Jarvis- playing a alienated teenager on a grim Essex estate. Her mother's boyfriend- played superbly by Michael Fassbender- turns her world upside down when he enters her life. As good as any British film released in the noughties.

Up

Pixar's latest was hilarious and heartwarming without ever resorting to cliche or crass humour.

Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood's rumoured last acting role was fitting. This film had a serious message but was also unexpectadly hilarious with very un-PC themes.

Milk

The 70s were evoked perfectly in this tale of gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Director Gus Van Sant assembled a perfect ensemble cast with Josh Brolin and Oscar winning Sean Penn (in the title role) standing out.

Revolutionary Road

Brit' Sam Mendes secured his place as one of the world's best directors with the sumptuous photography on this heartbreaking suburban story. But really this was all about his wife Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio who reminded me why they're A list stars.

Fish Tank

Please go see this film. Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender both put in, literally, breathtaking performances. Andrea Arnold's direction is handheld (i.e shaky) but still stunning.

And to me it portrays the Essex I know. I didn't grow up in the London side of the county but can identify with the fields, council estates, broken down families and often unbelievable accents.

Mostly I just love Katie's story. Found arguing with her boyfriend at an Essex train station aged 16- she was given the part on her 17th birthday. She had a baby four days before the film's Cannes premiere and now has the same agent as Johnny Depp.

I interviewed her recently and she said: "I’m just waiting for the right script to come up, cos I want to try something a bit different from Fish Tank now, and just push myself and see how far I can go."