#SheReviews Film: Fisherman’s Friends: One and All

Wanna watch a feel good movie, with a lovely story line, great music and spectacular scenery? Then Fisherman’s Friend 2 – One and All is definitely one to see. 

It’s a fictional twist on a true story. This is the sequel to the first Fishermen’s Friend in 2019 that is being streamed on television at the moment. But you don’t need to see the first. I didn’t and it was easy to know what the story was about. 

From the very start you cannot help being captured by the rolling green hills, breathtaking steep cliffs, historical architecture, old stone buildings, pristine blue waters to threatening rugged waves. All before you become engrossed in the plot about the all- male band of singers. Their fun story-telling lyrics are full of old English encounters and sea adventures with folk style music that makes you want to kick up your heels and dance. 

Featured heavily in the movie is the eighteenth-century pub The Golden Lion, located at the Cornish fishing village of Port Isaac. A typical historical UK pub, I could see myself standing at the bar ordering a pint of Guinness Stout. The view from the pub is staggering. It is built on the high ground overlooking the bay. So enticing to the point I want to return to Cornwall and see it for myself.   

The beautiful blend of voices from the ten strong team of fishermen are soothing and magnetic.  Young and old are attracted to their down-to-earth personas on and off the stage. They are ordinary people striving to maintain ordinary lives with one main objective: We sing for the people; we are the people.    

On a side note, the popular TV series Doc Martin was also filmed around the same area and professional chef Nathan Outlaw (who previously worked with Rick Stein) runs a Michelin star restaurant at Port Isaac.  

The Story

It simply is about lobster fishermen who sang for their supper and unexpectedly became famous. The story is based on a real-life group of Cornish fishermen who finally signed a contract with  Universal Music Group. They became famous for their singing of sea shanties and ballards . Some of which I remember learning at school. 

Their debut album achieved a Top 10 hit and in this movie sequel, Fisherman’s Friend are chasing another album. But not without angst. Like most performers, the fishermen faced challenges in their personal lives as well as the downsides of travelling to perform. 

The story continues telling of their struggles with fame and the changes within the band. These are everyday fishermen some of whom rejected the attention from their popularity, sceptical about the music industry. In the movie, as in true life, they continued with their day jobs as fishermen and sang at pubs once their boats reached shore. Introduce a new black sheep to the group. A farmer who works the land and doesn’t fish but has a voice to shepherd the herds.  

We followed their headlong journey observing the highs and lows, wondering where they would end up. It was an absolute delight to see them finally reach their goals; To produce another album and perform at the massive Glastonbury Music Festival.  There were times I felt like singing out loud as well as dancing (I thankfully restrained myself).

Cast

Director: Chris Foggin  Writers: Nick Moorcroft, Meg Leonard, Piers Ashworth

Producers: Nick Moorcroft, Meg Leonard, James Spring

Starring: Daniel Mays, James Perefoy, David Hayman, Dave Johns, Sam Swainsbury, Tuppence Middleton, Noel Clarke

Released in cinemas 23 February 2023