Heartwarming British comedy Fisherman’s Friends charmed audiences back in 2019 with its combo of love, friendship, and sea shanties. If you’re fond of that particular mix, we have some excellent news for you, me hearty: the sequel, Fisherman’s Friends: One and All, is in cinemas now.
Based on the true story of a group of Cornish fishermen who improbably scored a top ten hit with an album of traditional sea shanties, Fisherman’s Friends saw Daniel Mays as a fast-talking London music exec who found a new lease on life when drawn into their world – and if you’re hearing notes of the British classic Local Hero, you’re not alone there.
The sequel, Fisherman’s Friends: One and All, follows the “buoy band” as they deal with fame and the curse of the “difficult second album”. Leader Jim (James Purefoy) is particularly struggling following the death of his father, Jago (David Hayman), a founding member of the group. Will new arrival Aubrey (singer Imelda May, making her big screen debut), a successful Irish folk singer in retreat from the pressures of fame, put a spring back in his step? Will the Fisherman’s Friends find enough worthy new recruits to soldier (or sailor, if you will) on? Will they play Glastonbury?
Well, yes, in all likelihood – Fisherman’s Friends follows in the strong tradition of feelgood fare like The Full Monty and Brassed Off, presenting the rags-to-somewhat-better-rags story of a band of likeable underdogs whose sheer talent and can-do attitude will see them through the stormiest weather. When the sea of life gets rough, sometimes that’s just what you need – a cinematic lighthouse guiding you home.
Okay, we may be stretching the seafaring metaphor a little hard there, but a combo of charming performances, rousing music, the picturesque Cornish coast, and a big heart makes Fisherman’s Friends: One and All hard to resist. As the real life Fisherman’s Friends’ first album advised us, Suck’em and Sea.
