BANK OF DAVE

UK, 2023, 108 minutes, Colour.

Joel Fry, Rory Kinnear, Phoebe Dynevor, Jo Hartley, Angus Wright, Cathy Tyson, Paul Kaye, Hugh Bonneville, Def Leppard.

Directed by Chris Foggin.

It looks like something of a corny title! In fact, this is a true story, although there is a caution at the beginning that it is true-ish. In fact, the campaign was actually Bank on Dave (which is friends always could).

While watching Bank of Dave, this reviewer’s mind went back 70 years, to the 1950s, to the Ealing Studios comedies, so many of them with Alec Guinness, certainly the touch of humour, but so often dealing with social problems, the problems of ordinary people, films like The Man in the White Suit. But audience memories may not go back that far. Perhaps another point of reference would be the later 1990s, with films like Brassed Off, The Full Monty.

This is definitely a film about ordinary people but people with a strong sense of community – and Dave makes quite a number of speeches throughout the film emphasising this theme.

And, we might wonder if we did not know that actual story or seen the documentary about him, who is Dave? He comes from Burnley, a northern town, Lancashire, far from the minds of London and London far from Burnley’s mind! Dave had a garage and sold vans and minibuses. But, with the sense of community, with his wife, he has built up his finances and has been making loans to people in need, to pay debts, to start businesses. His very popular in the town and, as played exuberantly by Rory Kinnear, vigorous singing as well, karaoke in the pub with friends, we can see why. And his idea is to create a local bank, for needs in the community, mindful that a new bank like this has not been created in England for more than a century.

Switch to London, to lawyer, Hugh – and a sympathetically genial performance from Joel Fry. His partner suggests he go to Burnley to discuss the possibility, the pitfalls, perhaps blocking the project. No surprises, really, in what happens, although we did not anticipate a charge against Dave, a court case, Dave accused of exploiting his money. The court case is definitely a reminder of those Ealing Studios comedies, funny, serious, Hugh using his wits, exposing affluent banks behind the accusations. Case dropped.

But, there is more. There is Alexandra, tough-minded, supporting Dave, no surprise when she and Hugh inevitably fall in love. But there is even more, initially for rock ‘n’ roll fans, quite a lot of music apart from Dave singing in the pub. There is the actual Def Leopard group and a performance, and their being the key to the establishment of the Bank of Dave, approval by the financial office, but the need to raise £12 million. What better than a rock concert, Val-out, everyone enthusiastic, Dave on stage, making his community speech, singing?

And, if we were wondering, as with so many films like this, there are photos of the actual Dave, his family and associates are in the final credits.

An engagingly people and community-oriented story - left of centre might say.

1. Based on a true story? True-ish? And the images of Dave Fishwick in the final credits?
2. The setting in Burnley, Hugh’s drive to Burnley through the countryside, a long way from London, the regional town, homes, streets, businesses, the garage, the pub? The contrast with London, the tall buildings, the officers, banks, lawyers, financial departments?
3. The importance of the music, the songs in the pub, karaoke, Dave and his singing, exuberance, the bands, Def Leppard, performances? Building up to the concert?
4. The situation, Dave Fishwick, his sense of community, his speeches about community, everybody helping one another? Finances, his loans to people in Burnley, helping them with their debts, build up their businesses, the repayment? Support from his wife? From Alexandra? The idea of creating a local bank? No such bank in England for a over a century?
5. The introduction to Hugh, legal work, with Angus, London? Getting the commission to go to see Dave, the possibility of the bank, to explain the pitfalls, to dissuade him? Hugh and the drive? His commitment to his work, the new experience of the provincial town, the people?
6. Dave’s vision of having the bank, his garage, selling the minibuses, making his money, his reputation in the town, popularity? The discussions with Hugh? The prospects for success? Or not?
7. The background of the bankers, board meetings, Sir Charles and his associates? Agreements and disagreements? The links with the lawyers? To sabotage Hugh?
8. The court case, the judge and the panel, the prosecutor, accusations against Dave, Hugh and his defence? The speeches, testimony of Maureen, her long friendship with Dave, the story of the loan, her paying it back? (And her death, the funeral, the tributes to her, Dave’s speech and song, Hugh coming to the funeral?)
9. The seeming defeat of the case, Hugh and his ability to break through, the anonymity of the charge, putting the prosecutor on the spot, producing all Dave’s documents and honourable repayments, the attitude of the judge? (And Sir Charles in London, the members of the board, defying him, Hugh and his discussion with his associate, and the sackings?)
10. Hugh, the friendship with Alexandra, the introduction to her, her strong stances, the poor, feminist, with the town Council? At home, domestic sequences? Going with Hugh to hear the band?
11. Hugh, manager of the band, their friendship, Def Leppard, the actual group playing?
12. The preparations of documents for the bank regulation board, the visit to London, expecting to fail, the board approving, the need to raise £12 million?
13. Hugh, back in London, the discussions with Angus, the offer on the job, Sir Charles reaching out, the high salary? And the prospect of having no further option?
14. Hugh, the return to Burnley, the funeral, with Alexandra, the bond between them, walking, talking, staying on the couch?
15. The quest for £12 million, Dave and all his mortgages, donations? The idea of the concert, approaching the manager, the hall in Burnley, numbers it could take, agreement of the groups, the enthusiasm, the promotion?
16. The concert, the local bands, Def Leppard, the enthusiastic crowd, the sell-out, the raising of the money, Dave and his wife, checking the money, not having enough? Hugh, his interventions, the money raised? Def Leopard and Dave going on stage, the singing, the speech, the emphasis on community, the crowd responding?
17. Happy endings? And the reality of the establishment of the bank of Dave, and its success in consequent years for the Burnley community?