Libby Wadman has this week’s Friday Film Review, and she’s suggesting a feel-good movie for these strange and challenging times.
If the Covid restrictions and recent elections have left you worn out, stressed out and yearning to run away to a far-off land, take heart, Netflix is now streaming the film "Fisherman’s Friends". While it probably won’t cure these issues, it will at least, give you a momentary respite.
British director Chris Foggin’s romantic comedy, "Fisherman’s Friends," is a loosely based on fact film of how the folk group of the same name came to be. Fortunately, it is also a wonderful escape to the group’s actual home, the fishing village of Port Isaac on the shores of Cornwall. For "Doc Martin" fans this is the true location of the fictional village of Port Wenn.
"Fisherman’s Friends" is the story of three coworkers from a London music company who go to Port Isaac, to have a sailing stag party for one of the three. When their plans go awry, they end up listening to a town concert given by some of the local fishermen. Wanting to still have some fun, the groom challenges one of his coworkers to sign the group to a record label. What ensues is good fun spiced with a little romance and a lot of good music.
There are several standout aspects of "Fisherman’s Friends" that make it pleasant and charming to watch. The first is the cast. They are a true ensemble; all are stars and they work together as though they have all been best friends forever. The next wonderful part of the film is the location. Port Isaac is a beautiful village on the Atlantic coast in northern Cornwall. Just watching the scenery is a great and safe escape in these times when travel is not very easy. Screenwriters Piers Ashworth and Meg Leonard, have done a superb job of catching the spirit of the village and its inhabitants with an easy-going, believable story that pulls the viewer in. Perhaps though, the biggest standout is the music. As fishermen, their music is, of course, traditional sea shanties. These are wonderful stories sung acapella from the heart with plenty of harmonizing. What’s not to love?
While most of the storyline is fiction, "Fisherman’s Friends" is a real group of fishermen who sing and work together and who were signed to Island Records by manager Ian Brown after music producer Rupert Christie suggested Brown check them out. In the film, the music label manger, Danny, is a blending of these two gentlemen. While there are ten fishermen in the actual group, none of them is portrayed as a specific individual in the film. Instead, the goal was to portray the independent spirit of the group, which director Foggin accomplished with flying colors. As their manager Ian Brown said in part, “…they’re honest, they’re great and we could all do with a bit of honesty and straightforwardness.”
"Fisherman’s Friends" is an incredibly delightful, easy on the blood pressure watch of one hour and 52 minutes and is rated PG-13 for strong language and suggestive references. It is currently streaming for free on Netflix.
This is Libby Wadman with the Friday Film Review, reminding you that film is always fun and fascinating.
