Jellyfish

My daughter came in and took one look at what I was watching and asked, "Is this like The Florida Project?" She is very astute, my daughter. I hadn't thought about it, but she was pretty much bang on. The Florida Project, American Honey, and We the Animals are a kind of modern trilogy (not made by the same people) of impoverished America. In all three of these films, children are raising themselves or each other. They are all dark, sad movies with some elements of joy along the way. We are living in dark times where the economic divide between rich and poor is atmospheres apart, so it's no wonder we are getting these timely movies now.
Across the pond, England is making their own versions of similar ilk. I, Daniel Blake brought me to tears. If you have time, watch it.
Jellyfish is about a young high school student, Sarah, who is looking after her two siblings and her manic depressive mother. She has an after school job at an arcade cleaning the machines and she makes a little extra on the side by giving handjobs to old patrons in the alley. Yeah, it's dark. We also follow her journey at school as she works on becoming a stand-up comedian for her drama class.
Sarah is played by Liv Hill and this kid is something to behold. Liv Hill is the main reason you should watch Jellyfish, besides from being a sad, moving, and poignant film. She is so good in this she steals every scene. She is an actor to watch.
I would like to mention director James Gardner. He seems to come from the Steve McQueen (English director not the American actor) school of holding the shot long, let the audience fully take time to think about what's going on; it really worked well.
So, if you want to see a future star, catch Liv Hill in Jellyfish on streaming services or in rep theatres near you.