322. Fisherman's Friends, One and All; movie review

 

FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS - ONE AND ALL

Cert 12A

112 mins

BBFC advice: Moderate sex references, language

What shall we do with the drunken sailor?

Stick him with nine others and get them to sing some songs, apparently.

There was just about enough material in the original Fisherman's Friends film to stretch to a two-hour feature but a sequel was taking a jolly joke way too far.

Thus, we are left with similar tunes, a cringe-inducing romance and repeated plotlines.

Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft's film stars James Purefoy as Jim who has taken up the baton of the Port Isaac singers after the death of his father (David Hayman).

However, he is an uncomfortable leader, less than keen on change and unwilling to go along with the publicity ideas of the singers' record company.

So, once again, the seaside folk are on a collision course with the city dwellers (this time played by Joshua McGuire and Leah Jordan).

A further complication is added by a former Irish hell-raising musician (Imelda May) who just happens to have up residence just down the road from Jim's home.

Huge licence is taken with the real Fisherman's Friends story which is submerged beneath an unconvincing love story and irritating misplaced pride.

Fortunately, the music and the fabulous Cornish scenery offer some compensation for the avalanche of movie cliches.

Strangely, the real tragedy which cost the lives of two of the group is completely ignored.

PS Literally hundreds of unknown bands play Glastonbury - it really isn't that big a deal.

Reasons to watch: Looks fantastic

Reasons to avoid: Too twee

Laughs: Three

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 5/10

Did you know? In February 2013, Fisherman's Friends tour manager Paul McMullen died after being hit by a falling metal door backstage at G Live in Guildford, Surrey, where the band were due to perform later that day. Singer Trevor Grills also suffered severe head injuries in the freak accident and died two days later in hospital.

The final word. James Purefoy: "Every now and then you get to do a film, which gets people to laugh and cry and cheer." Movieweb

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