35 commentaires
There were a few times while watching Jellyfish that I thought I would have to turn it off. While my own childhood experience was not as extreme as the ones seen in this film, it was close enough to make watching it quite difficult. At the same time it was so good in its performances and the intensity of emotion that I was practically compelled to keep watching. I kept thinking, the ending of this film better be damn good as that will be what makes watching it ultimately worthwhile. In this context I found the ending to be a disappointment though not inappropriate. The story of the eldest daughter of a mentally ill/narcissistic drug addict mother, and how the daughter works so hard to keep the family, including much younger twin siblings, intact and the toll this takes on her. At the same time her emotional struggles lead her to write comedy, so there is something of a silver lining. I would recommend viewing it if you desire an emotionally intense movie-watching experience which includes some nice shots of one of England's quaint seaside towns.
- Moviegoer19
- 29 déc. 2018
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Phew that was a really really tough watch... very much like a Shane Meadows movie... harsh, grim and gritty social story with a tinge of humour and hard hitting story and ending - the young actress who played the lead was unbelievable, keep an eye on her she is going places
I've seen some reviews that portrays the teacher as 'ever dependable' and 'saviour' I disagree I thought he was self-centred and too embroiled in his show to show humanity to the main character... until it was all too late
I've seen some reviews that portrays the teacher as 'ever dependable' and 'saviour' I disagree I thought he was self-centred and too embroiled in his show to show humanity to the main character... until it was all too late
- fentor-139-729532
- 25 nov. 2019
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A director and an actress to watch out for. A small film of one life that, because it could be so many of our lives, grows into a huge film. The Margate Tourist Office can't have enjoyed this film - despite being beautifully photographed, it's hardly an advert for the town. A quietly sensational film without ever being a sensationalist one. It will stay with me for a while.
The acting here is consistently good, with two excellent central performances: LIV HILL in the lead as a fifteen year old forced to grow up early and parent her younger siblings as well as her utterly incapable mother - who's superbly portayed in all her highs, lows and broken chaos by SINEAD MATTHEWS. Both are outstanding.
I have never written a review but felt compelled to after watching this film. I hadn't even heard of the film when my friend asked me if I wanted to go see it with the loose permise that it's about a young girl that discovers she's good at stand up.
What the film gave me instead is an unexpected emotional rollercoaster, some really uncomfortable scenes, but actually a true reflection of real life situations. There are topics covered throughout the film that many people can relate and empathise with, some more difficult than others. Liv Hill is brilliant in this and delivers a very emotive performance, and actually the stand up comedy narrative is for me not the main focus of the story, it's more that she finds solace in it as an escape for everything else she has to deal with. The main story for me is relationships, and having to navigate these to try and lead a normal life when it's anything but normal.
This is not a film for kids at all, but I highly recommend watching this. Just maybe not a film to go and watch if you're already emotionally fragile...
What the film gave me instead is an unexpected emotional rollercoaster, some really uncomfortable scenes, but actually a true reflection of real life situations. There are topics covered throughout the film that many people can relate and empathise with, some more difficult than others. Liv Hill is brilliant in this and delivers a very emotive performance, and actually the stand up comedy narrative is for me not the main focus of the story, it's more that she finds solace in it as an escape for everything else she has to deal with. The main story for me is relationships, and having to navigate these to try and lead a normal life when it's anything but normal.
This is not a film for kids at all, but I highly recommend watching this. Just maybe not a film to go and watch if you're already emotionally fragile...
The plight of a young carer in a desperate situation is so heartbreaking. No matter her good intentions and how hard she tries nobody seems to care (except at the end). Nothing so tragic as a young life burdened with harsh realities and responsibilities for which it is not yet ready, certainly not emotionally. Film was far from perfect and hard to watch, still it has heart and I loved it.
I went into this film completely blind. As others have said, this is a bleak family drama, not an "inspiring", "touching" "comedy", as Amazon tags it.
I thought the story was compelling, the roles well-acted, and the cinematography beautiful (if bleak). Liv Hill played her role as protagonist Sarah masterfully, with a maturity that belies her years, and she absolutely shone in the part. I'm astonished critics didn't give this film more than 40/100, if only because of Hill; while it wasn't a masterpiece, it's DEFINITELY worth a watch.
The only real downside to the film for me is that I wanted more: I wanted to see the protagonist's relationship develop with her drama teacher (Cyril Nri); I had hoped to catch a glimpse of Sarah growing into a comedian, and some kind of resolution of her difficult family/social situation. Alas, there was no epilogue. I wanted more than the sliver of Sarah's life we were presented...but maybe I'm just greedy.
I thought the story was compelling, the roles well-acted, and the cinematography beautiful (if bleak). Liv Hill played her role as protagonist Sarah masterfully, with a maturity that belies her years, and she absolutely shone in the part. I'm astonished critics didn't give this film more than 40/100, if only because of Hill; while it wasn't a masterpiece, it's DEFINITELY worth a watch.
The only real downside to the film for me is that I wanted more: I wanted to see the protagonist's relationship develop with her drama teacher (Cyril Nri); I had hoped to catch a glimpse of Sarah growing into a comedian, and some kind of resolution of her difficult family/social situation. Alas, there was no epilogue. I wanted more than the sliver of Sarah's life we were presented...but maybe I'm just greedy.
- SusanLervold
- 17 févr. 2025
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Such a powerful film with great performances by all involved and an absolute stand out performance by Liv Hill who surely must be rewarded with some sort of award.Not easy to watch in places but this film will stay in your memory for a long long time
I saw this at the Edinburgh film festival. The first film for this director, and I expected not to like it as the subject matter is not what I would normally see at the cinema, I was really surprised at how good it was. The story of a 15 year old girl struggling to keep her family going and the toll it took upon her personally. The acting was excellent, and the direction and editing mature and very well executed. There were a couple of scenes which really made me wince, but nothing was gratuitous and they served to emphasise the points they were making-the loss of control for someone who is still a child but forced to try and make her way in an adult world with no support. The supporting characters were well realised and added to the film as a whole.
Go and see it. It's not an 'easy ride' but well worth persevering with. The ending, which I will not spoil, is to some extent what the viewer makes of it. See it to see what I mean!
Go and see it. It's not an 'easy ride' but well worth persevering with. The ending, which I will not spoil, is to some extent what the viewer makes of it. See it to see what I mean!
- tortycat3-1
- 24 juin 2018
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- johnrgreen
- 2 juin 2019
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We saw Jellyfish last night without expecting anything very much but we found the film really absorbing. The main character is beautifully played and very convincing. She doesn't always make the right choices, but you can entirely see why this happens. It really makes you think about the issues involved. In its own way, In many ways, it reminded me of 'Kes', effectively mixing drama and humour. My favourite film of the year so far, (and I have seen quite a few). Hope it gets the release it deserves.
- Jimthellama
- 5 mars 2019
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- Proactivity
- 20 févr. 2021
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- amelia-mccague
- 1 nov. 2019
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This is an absolutely horrendous story for starters of children who have to act and are thrown into circumstances that are far beyond their years. It's an incredibly brave film and had it not been for the credible performances, could've been extremely cringing as I have seen my fair share of amateur productions. I also think it's a really important film to be viewed by teachers and educators to understand their students as multidimensional people as opposed to how they present themselves in whatever class it is they are attending. The learners I often come into contact with come with their own emotional baggage so it really wasn't difficult to understand exactly what the great young actress was portraying. This is another recent film which has shown just how desolate British seaside towns are, or have become, & the struggles which go hand in hand with that dying and dilapidated environment.
- karlmartin2211
- 10 mars 2021
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Wish I could have watched this with my kids but the pg-13 rating was inappropriate. The opening scene had us turning it off in a hurry. Will have to watch when the kids are in bed.
- aprilrain-37789
- 12 janv. 2019
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This is such a good film. I see another reviewer said it reminded them of Kes. I didn't think so Kes was so depressing after seeing it i felt like killing the writer and director for putting it out. There are so many youngsters living lives like this it is frightening. It is rare for them ever to recover from an upbringing like this. The acting was superb! Give it a watch but be prepared for some shocking scenes.
- watcher2019
- 7 juin 2019
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Arguably Liv Hill deserved a 10/10 one of the best individual performances I've seen in a very longtime especially for a non household name but as good as the rest of the film still was im not sure I could say it was one of the very very best of the year but it wasn't far behind for sure. Highly recommend.
- muamba_eats_toast
- 4 févr. 2020
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Liv hill gives an amazing performance. This is not a real fun film to watch. But it's so enjoyable because of its portrayals and the true to life experiences. I dont know how anyone could walk away from this film and not be touched by the story and portrayals in this film. My mom and wife always say they dont like watching nonsense, like science fiction or horror. This is no nonsense. If you want to watch something that's deeper than your typical hollywood fair. Then watch this.
- ginjaninja-43907
- 21 août 2019
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...a tough, emotional storyline, with more dark than light, where not everything is labelled and the struggles of life do not end with a miraculous transformation.
A film that confirms that life can be hard and EXTREAMLY hard for young people without support that some take for granted.
The acting is great and Liv Hill is amazing. A brilliant actress at such a young age.
A film that confirms that life can be hard and EXTREAMLY hard for young people without support that some take for granted.
The acting is great and Liv Hill is amazing. A brilliant actress at such a young age.
- jonathanjcrowe
- 2 nov. 2019
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I am so glad I found this film. The acting was so incredible, taking you through so many emotions. Parts of the film were very difficult to watch. I was yelling at the tv, crying, laughing.
Staggering performance from a young actor that carrys the film. You can feel her pain despite her protesting to all that she has it covered. The fine supporting cast of the children and her mother make it so real. It's a sad story that you hope desperately for her to transcend through her comedy.
- damonoldcorn
- 30 mai 2021
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Liv Hill delivers a stand out performance that has you laughing out loud while your heart is breaking. This movie was very uncomfortable to watch at times because of its very real content but I found myself emotionally invested 100% by the end. A must see!
- simmideluxe
- 14 sept. 2019
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Just through this movie on to pass sometime and it turned out to move me in ways a movie hasn't for a long time.
I feel like this can and does actually happen all over the world which breaks my heart.
This is the story of a 15 year old who was forced to grow up way to fast.
I recommend this and would love to see another with this brilliant actress
7.9
I feel like this can and does actually happen all over the world which breaks my heart.
This is the story of a 15 year old who was forced to grow up way to fast.
I recommend this and would love to see another with this brilliant actress
7.9
- natcalgary
- 1 sept. 2019
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Pure brilliance from start to finish. The scene in the amusements was difficult watching but so well shot and utterly compelling. Liv Hill gave an outstanding performance throughout. Although it made for difficult watching, at times, it truly reminds me that so many humans are putting on a brave face to the world. We know so little of what goes on behind closed doors. It emphasises that we will never be aware of the trials and tribulations so many are facing and to be kind to everyone, always.