Fisherman's Friends

If you liked THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, you'll be inclined to like this; it will help if you're a fan of sea shanties.

Despite its slimline script, FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS has a lot of charm. We're in POLDARK territory, so the scenery is a guaranteed hit, and the fishermen are a likeable (mixed) bunch. All in all, there's a healthy dollop of the feel-good factor that made THE FULL MONTY and the MARIGOLD HOTEL movies such crowd-pleasers.

Based on a genuinely smile-inducing true story, small-scale British film Fisherman's Friends is the type of sufficiently delivered cinematic offering that knows exactly what it is and sticks to its formula throughout, as you're likely to walk away from a screening tapping your feet and poorly reciting sea shanties long into the night.

Absolutely British through and through, FriendsHollywoodizes the story of well-known U.K folk/shanty group Fisherman's Friends, who against all the odds graduated from playing gigs to locals in Cornwall pubs to becoming one of the most successful performing groups on the British charts and in live performances.

It's a feel-good film, one with all the tried and true tropes of the genre that have been there since the dawn of cinema but director Chris Foggin never lets things get too mawkish or unbearable as he instead, with help from his likeable group of on screen rogues, ensures that you can't help but enjoy the simple delights of this against the odds true life tale.

Led by the as per usual gruff and raw James Purefoy as the groups rugged leader Jim and the likeable Daniel Mays as big-shot London record label worker Danny, Friend's loaded ensemble all acquit themselves well and while there are too many players to get to know well and a tacked on romance that isn't overly necessary between Danny and Tuppence Middleton's Alwyn, it's not enough to detour from the joys Friends has install throughout its runtime.

From early morning shanty singalongs out on the bay of the seaside setting, pub set group shenanigans and some heart-warming moments of loss, love and reflection, Friends does a great job of being more than just a loveable comedy as it touches on some important themes and ideas around its more fun and frivolous shanty-filled world.

It never threatens to transcend into anything greater than a really enjoyable good time, one that will not stick with you for the long-haul, but with such a lightness of touch and with its heart well and truly in the right place, Friends is one of the most purely enjoyable films of its type to be found in recent years, and a film that will likely be discovered and enjoyed more in the coming years after its low-key initial run.

Final Say -

You don't have to be a sea shanty singing sailor to have a great time with Fisherman's Friends, a likeable and fun true life tale that is the perfect antidote to a hard day at the office.

3 ½ paddle boards out of 5

This is nice gentle comedy that plays out pretty much as you'd expect but that's not to disparage it in any way because it delivers precisely what you'd want it to. The real life personalities on which the story is based will be able to distinguish historical fact from liberties taken for the sake of the narrative of course. The audience knows that happens but that doesn't take anything away from the charm of the film. Had it played out a little less conventionally and a few of the supporting performances been sharper I'd have rated it a 9.

There's some nice humour that stems naturally from the tight knit community friendships when an outsider comes into their lives, and some truly wonderful harmonies in the singing of those shanties. I'm not a folk song enthusiast but there's no denying the music is resonant and lyrical. Definitely one I'll add to my collection on Blu-ray because I think it has repeat viewing potential as one of my 'feel good' film collection.

A feel good comedy that has you smiling from the start to the end. Yes it's probably over sensationalised and certain puns are overused but when a film has you grinning and laughing Inbetween from first minute to last you can look past its imperfections. A thoroughly good watch the only complaint is that it didn't last longer!

Based on a true story, Fisherman's Friends tells the tale of a music exec from London (Daniel Mays) who winds up in Cornwall. He ends up making stars of a group of singing fishermen. Along the way, the music executive realizes what's important in life.

Yes, a bit predictable, but it's a fun, warm film with plenty of atmosphere and excellent performances from Mays, David Hayman, Maggie Steed, James Purefoy, Noel Clarke, Tuppence Middleton, and the others.

Not a special effects blockbuster with action stars, but good nonetheless.