Fisherman’s Friends: One And All ★★★
CERT 12A, 114 minutes, in cinemas 19 August STARRING: James Purefoy, Imelda May, Sam Swainsbury, Dave Johns, Jade Anouka DIRECTORS: Meg Leonard, Nick Moorcroft
THE PLOT
The Cornish fishermen-turnedunlikely pop stars now face Difficult Second Album Syndrome – and also need to recruit a new singer, following the death of Jago (David Hayman), father of the combo’s linchpin Jim (Purefoy). Meanwhile, Jim is dealing with his grief by hitting the booze, and their London record label is far from convinced that the world needs more sea shanties.
WHAT’S RIGHT WITH IT?
While this sequel to surprise 2019 hit Fisherman’s Friends certainly doesn’t lack for sub plots (the above summary fails to mention marital woes for Sam Swainsbury as pubowning member Rowan, or a fitfully amusing woke pivot for Dave Johns as Leadville), the film does find its heart in the central relationship between Jim and one-time hellraising music artist Aubrey (May), who has retreated to Cornwall to pull her life together. Jade Anouka is sympathetic as the record-company exec caught between the self-sabotaging band and her sceptical boss (Ramon Tikaram).
WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT?
Not every film requires a sequel, and Fisherman’s Friends may be an instance of that. The screenplay’s patchwork of minor jeopardies, followed by moderately engaging resolutions, won’t be winning any Oscars.
VERDICT:
Did someone mention Difficult Second Film Syndrome? In fairness, writerdirectors Leonard and Moorcroft bring infectious enthusiasm to this tricky challenge, delivering a busy sequel that doesn’t mess too much with the original formula.