Pond Life is a British coming-of-age movie released in 2018, directed by Bill Buckhurst. The movie is set in the summer of 1994 in an industrial town in the East Midlands region of England. A group of young people from the same neighbourhood comes together to go fishing in a nearby pond. The group consists of five boys between the ages of 13 and 15, and an older girl who is deaf.
The main plot of the movie revolves around the rumour of a giant carp in the pond, which has been caught by someone before but was released back into the water. The friends set out to catch this fish, but as they spend more time together, they start to reveal their personal struggles and issues, forming a bond that goes beyond just fishing.
The characters in the movie all have their individual stories of hardship, and the screenplay gives each one enough time to shine. Trevor, played by Tom Varey, is a rebellious teenager who is constantly getting into trouble with the law. He finds solace in fishing and often escapes to the woods to catch fish alone. Dean, played by Esme Creed-Miles, is the only girl in the group and is deaf. She struggles to communicate with people outside her close-knit group of friends and also deals with a broken family.
Maurice, played by Angus Imrie, comes from a broken family and takes care of his younger brother, who has a life-threatening illness. Malcolm, played by Abraham Lewis, is an aspiring rapper who feels oppressed by the political climate of the time. And finally, Shane, played by Ethan Wilkie, is the youngest of the group, but his troubled home life has left him with a tough exterior.
The central theme of the movie is the struggles of these young characters in a world that is tough and uncertain. The movie is beautifully shot and the retro 90's setting adds a unique charm to the story. The performances by the young actors are exceptional, and the movie feels like a sincere portrayal of youth and friendship. Throughout the movie, the friends share moments of joy, pain, and revelation, and their bond becomes a shining light in the midst of chaos.
