A method for controlling the attachment and growth of cells on a surface of an article, the method comprising contacting the article with living tissue, living organisms, or with water in an aqueous system comprising living organisms wherein the article comprises a substratum having a surface and a film on the surface, the film comprising a network of a net positively charged composition and a net negatively charged composition, wherein the net positively charged composition comprises a net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged composition comprises a net negatively charged polyelectrolyte, and the net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged polyelectrolyte contain (i) a polymer repeat unit having at least two fluorine atoms, or (ii) a polymer repeat unit having a zwitterion group.