FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS – ONE AND ALL

UK, 2022, 111 minutes, Colour.

James Purefoy, Sam Swainsbury, Dave Johns, Maggie Steed, Imelda May, Meadow Nobreda, Richard Harrington, Jade Anouka, Joshua McGuire, David Heyman, Ramon Tikaram.

Directed by Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft.

Anyone who does not get roused by the sea shanties must be tone deaf! They definitely have an appeal across the ages.

And this was certainly true with the original film, Fisherman’s Friends, in 2019. It was based on an actual group of singing fisherman, their local singing in Port Isaac, Cornwall, their being taken up by a record company, and their first album. Not without the usual business difficulties.

At the heart of the group was the older man, Jago, played quite endearingly by David Heyman. But, he dies. (But this does not prevent him reappearing in this sequel, seen by his son Jim, encouraging, singing along, some criticism, urging Jim to better his life.)

This film opens with the Fisherman’s Friends finishing a national tour, the opening credits naming all the towns with some vistas all over Britain. But, once at home, everything returns, more or less, to ordinary life, Jim (James Purefoy) out on his boat, tentatively alone, the various men working at the fish market, the young Rowan managing the bar with his wife. And, there is the powerful presence of Maggie, the matriarch (good to see Maggie Steed with the decades-old memories of TVs Pie in the Sky). And there is more than competent granddaughter, Tamsin (Meadow Nobreda).

Meanwhile, in London, there is the record company, an agent, Leah (Jade Anouka) eager to negotiate a second album, the underling from the office, Gareth (Joshua McGuire) always putting his foot in it, the butt of jokes. And the boss is severe.

The first dramatic question arises: the need for another voice now that Jago is dead. Jim is against it. However, mother and granddaughter organise auditions (some funny moments with a variety of would-be fisherman, Gilbert and Sullivan, Village People…). But one stands out, Morgan (Richard Harrington) a Welsh farmer who has moved to Cornwall. Everybody is enthusiastic – except Jim who later humiliates Morgan in public. Everything over?

This is the kind of tale that appeals to a wide audience, but generally older. So, a romance is introduced, an Irish singer who has ruined her career, recovering alcoholic, Aubrey (Imelda May) whom Jim is rude to but there is a mellowing. But, also some dramatic heightening introduced, a mine accident involving Maggie and granddaughter, and tension in a rescue.

So, what is left? Of course, rehabilitation, the possibility of a new album, a concert appearance. And we all enjoy this because the fisherman’s friends, with apologies from Jim to Morgan (the one and all of the title), go to London to confront the executives in a restaurant, singing heartily and engaging all the diners. And, Maggie has concocted a scheme where the group has the possibility of appearing at… But that would be a spoiler!

There is a pleasure of seeing the actual members of the group during the final credits, seen in buses, seen performing at… Once again avoiding the spoiler!

1. For audiences who enjoyed the original film? The sea shanties? The singers, fishermen, Port Isaac, the Cornwall ethos, the landscapes, the seascapes and cliffs, and aspects of British life? For audiences who are meeting the Fisherman’s Friends for the first time?
2. Port Isaac, the views from the sea, the waters, the cliffs, the walks and the peaks? The town itself, the wharves, fish market, homes, bars? The feel of the town?
3. Meeting the singers again, especially Jim, Rowan and his wife, Led Ville? Maggie, the matriarch? Tamsin, the granddaughter? The death of Jay go? Living memory?
4. The tour, the travelling, the performances, the first album, celebrities? And the range of songs inserted throughout the film?
5. The return to normal, back fishing, work? The bed-and-breakfast, the bar?
6. The recording company, Leo is the contact, Jez as the severe boss, Gareth, eager, putting his foot in it, the butt of jokes? This is to port Isaac, the phone link up for the meeting, Led Ville and the toilet, jokes on him?
7. Jim, his relationship with his mother, grieving his father, his father constantly appearing throughout the film, singing, encouraging, criticising? Jim a sullen, drinking, enjoying the fishing, the bond with Temps and, wary of the move for a second album?
8. Maggie, enthusiastic, memory of Jay go, the bed-and-breakfast, Aubrey and her wanting to change rooms, Jim rude to her? Encouraging the group, arranging the auditions, Temps and in charge, the comedy of the various auditions and the range of songs from shanties to Gilbert and Sullivan and the Village People? Morgan, his voice, everyone joining in? Jim, anger at his being a farmer, not fishermen?
9. The paparazzi, photography, wanting to catch people in awkward moments, Jim providing them, the later experience with Aubrey and her career?
10. The concert, the introduction, the open air performance, gs, Jim and his insulting Morgan, the reaction of the crowds? The cancelling the contract?
11. Jim, morose, the encounter with Aubrey, her reaction, the challenge, is walking up the hill, her house, her invitation, talking, the breaking of barriers, the relationship, moving in, his mother wary, coming with Temps in, Jim taking Aubrey on the boat? A romantic interlude?
12. The accident, Maggie and temps and, the details of the rescue, Jim climbing down, pulling his granddaughter to safety? The Coast Guard? Hospital? Maggie recovering and released?
13. Maggie, the plan, the friend in Australia, sending the lobster, the record? The suggestion about Glastonbury?
14. Leo, the visits, exasperation is, phone calls? Gareth, the tide coming in, everybody laughing?
15. The invitation to Glastonbury? The group going to London, going to the restaurant, the performance, the response, jeers and the contract?
16. Going to Glastonbury, the crowds, celebrity, beyond say, her husband, the performance and the reception? Everybody happy? Jim, Jago appearing, singing with him, then vanishing?
17. The enjoyment of the credits with the real fisherman’s friends, in the bus, going to Glastonbury, performance?