Watch AQUARIUM

Aquarium is a coming-of-age drama from 2007 that follows the story of two young lovers, Sam and Emily, as they navigate the complexities of their relationship in the face of parental pressure, societal expectations, and personal identity issues. Sam (Jeremy Allen White) is a shy and introverted high school student who spends most of his time alone, drawing and dreaming of becoming a professional artist. His parents are divorced, and he has a strained relationship with his overbearing father (Christopher Berry), who wants him to go to a prestigious college and pursue a secure career.

Emily (Kaitlin Kiyan), on the other hand, is a free-spirited and rebellious girl who has just moved to town with her family. She is passionate about marine biology and spends most of her time at the local aquarium, where she gets a job as an intern. She is also a talented singer and guitar player, and performs in a local band with her friends.

Despite their differences, Sam and Emily fall in love and start dating in secret. They enjoy spending time together, exploring the city, watching movies, and sharing their dreams and fears. However, their relationship is soon challenged by external factors that threaten to tear them apart.

Sam's father disapproves of his relationship with Emily and wants him to focus on his studies and sports. He also reminds him of his responsibilities as a man and as his son, and warns him of the dangers of getting romantically involved with a girl who is not from the same social class.

Emily's parents (Zachary Brian and Deborah Charity) are more supportive of their daughter's relationship, but they are also preoccupied with their own problems. Emily's mother is an alcoholic who neglects her family and struggles to keep a job, while her father is a former athlete who is struggling to adjust to his new job as a coach and to provide for his family.

Moreover, Emily and Sam's relationship is tested by their own insecurities and doubts. Sam is afraid of disappointing his father and failing to live up to his expectations, while Emily is afraid of losing her identity and creativity in a world that values conformity and materialism.

As the summer progresses, Sam and Emily's relationship becomes more intense and complicated. They experience moments of joy and passion, but also moments of conflict and misunderstanding. They try to communicate and understand each other, but also hide secrets and avoid confrontation.

The climax of the movie occurs when Emily gets accepted into a prestigious marine biology program in Hawaii and must decide whether to pursue her dream or stay with Sam. Sam also faces a dilemma when he is offered a scholarship to a prestigious art school in New York and must choose between his passion and his family's expectations.

The resolution of the movie is bittersweet and realistic. Sam and Emily make a decision that reflects their individual values and aspirations, but also acknowledges the limitations and opportunities of their social and economic backgrounds. They say goodbye to each other, knowing that their love will endure, but also aware of the challenges and uncertainties of their future.

Aquarium is a poignant and heartfelt movie that explores the themes of love, family, identity, and social class with depth and sensitivity. It features remarkable performances by the young cast, especially Jeremy Allen White and Kaitlin Kiyan, who convey the complexity and beauty of adolescent emotions with authenticity and nuance. The movie also showcases the beauty and diversity of New Orleans, where it was filmed, and the importance of art and nature in shaping our lives and perspectives.

AQUARIUM is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.