Who knew that back in 2019 that a small British film based on the true story of the Cornish band Fisherman’s Friends would do well enough to get a sequel? It’s not out of the ordinary to get sequels to small British films, just look at Paddington, Mr Bean or even A Street Bat Named Bob. It is a surprise though to get a sequel to a film based on a true story. The first film charted the discovery of the band through a music producer called Danny, played by Daniel Mays, who is all but absent in this film, whereas the first film focused more on his character rather than the band. This sequel focuses itself more on the band members and it documents their ascension through the charts as their popularity soars too which ended in the band performing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury back in 2011.
The majority of the cast playing the band members are back with James Purefoy as the defacto leader of the group, Jim, as well as David Johns as Leadville who provides a lot of the comedy in the film. The film has a lot of heart and a lot of humour with various smaller sub-plots scattered around in the film, such as Jim and his flirtation with a reclusive singer played by real-life singer Imelda May, a story about Jim’s daughter and how she wants to visit the abandoned mines as well as media training for the group and the hiring of a new tenth band member. There’s a lot going on and a lot to cram into the film’s short runtime. It can feel rushed and there are a lot of characters to balance and it makes you think that the format to tell this story may have worked better as a television series.
The film looks just as lovely as the first one, with some scenic shots of the beaches and the wildlife of Cornwall transporting you there from the safety of the cinema. It relishes in the fact that Cornwall is like a retreat, a holiday hotspot so to speak, and as a result, the film has a vibe and an atmosphere that makes it the perfect film to watch in the summer with the family. That’s right this is a family film and there are also a variety of innuendoes and adult jokes which are also aimed at a older audience too so there is something for everyone here. The actors all look the part and I personally don’t know a lot about the real-life band Fisherman’s Friends, but it’s hard not to see James Purefoy as a ragged fisherman and a singer in real life as well as on-screen as he steals the show.
With this being based on a true story you can expect the usually rags-to-riches storyline where the band come together, fall out and come together again, but I won’t spoil how or why that happens but it does tread the usual structure that the genre is known for. By the end credits you also see some archival footage of the real band and at that point you realise that the film did a good job at immersing us into this experience that they went through and the hardships they faced. At the end of the day these characters are based on real people and that gives the film a sense of fun and life that you will take away with you. It’s highly enjoyable even if it is incredibly predictable.
★★★☆☆
3/5
Fisherman’s Friends: One and All is a feel-good film that comes at the right time of the year, towards the end of summer. You will be teleported to Cornwall as the actors and the filmmakers bring Cornwall to life with some funny and flawed characters. James Purefoy steals the film and if you’re not a big fan of sea shanties at the start of the film then I can guarantee you will be humming and merrily singing away on your way out of the cinema!
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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