Fisherman's Friends (2019)

Ten fisherman from Cornwall are signed by Universal Records and achieve a top ten hit with their debut album of Sea Shanties.

Director:

Chris Foggin

Writers:

Piers Ashworth, Meg Leonard

Stars:

James Purefoy, Meadow Nobrega, David Hayman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Purefoy	...	Jim
Meadow Nobrega	...	Tamsyn
David Hayman	...	Jago
Maggie Steed	...	Maggie
Sam Swainsbury	...	Rowan
Dave Johns	...	Leadville
Daniel Mays	...	Danny
Noel Clarke	...	Troy
Christian Brassington	...	Henry
Vahid Gold	...	Driss
Tuppence Middleton	...	Alwyn
Mae Voogd	...	Sally
Yuna Shin	...	Tourist
Ken Drury	...	Solicitor
Nathan Outlaw	...	Car Owner

Storyline

A fast living, cynical London music executive (Daniel Mays) heads to a remote Cornish village on a stag weekend where he's pranked by his boss (Noel Clarke) into trying to sign a group of shanty singing fishermen (led by James Purefoy). He becomes the ultimate "fish out of water" as he struggles to gain the respect or enthusiasm of the unlikely boy band and their families (including Tuppence Middleton) who value friendship and community over fame and fortune. As he's drawn deeper into the traditional way of life he's forced to reevaluate his own integrity and ultimately question what success really means.

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Plot Keywords:

fisherman | coastal town | vocal group | sea shanty | singer | 

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Taglines:

When you find your voice, you discover the perfect catch.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, and suggestive references

Did You Know?

Trivia

After the pub quiz, Danny asks Alwyn who the first artist was to have a posthumous no.1 single in the UK. He seems impressed when she answers "Otis Redding". The correct answer is Buddy Holly (1959). Otis Redding has never had a no.1 single in the UK.

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Goofs

After the quiz night, Danny asks her "Who was the first artist to have a posthumous #1 in the UK?" , she answers straight away - "Otis Redding - sitting on the dock of the bay, in 1968". Well, this is wrong, Otis wasn't the first, second or indeed third. The first one was Buddy Holly - It doesn't matter anymore (1959), second was Eddie Cochrane - Three steps to heaven (1960), third was Jim Reeves - Distant drums (1965).

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Quotes

Jago: But put on a pair of shades...
[he puts on his sunglasses]
Jago: ...and I'm Bonio.
Leadville: It's Bono, you pillock.

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits have some photographs of the real band members, and some "what happened to. . . ." notes.

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Connections

Featured in Projector: Fisherman's Friends (2019)

User Reviews

Great music with a little drama, comedy and romance

A group of music executives from London get stranded in a tiny Cornish fishing port when their holiday yacht fails to arrive. While making the most of it they're exposed to a traditional sailor's shanty. One of them gets left behind to sign up the fishermen to a music contract.

This film of underdog makes good is based on real events. It's a gentle drama punctuated with some great songs. The comedy elements are well done while the romance feels a bit of an afterthought.

Sleepy Cornwall is nicely portrayed against the bustle of London as is its tough living and deeply held traditions. The scenery is nicely shot.

There's a little swearing but otherwise it's safe for children though the pacing may leave them restless. Just sit back and let the airs roll you into gentle bliss.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 2019 (UK)

Also Known As:

Fisherman's Friends

Filming Locations:

Port Isaac, Cornwall, England, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,576,847

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fred Films, Powderkeg Pictures, BondIt Media Capital

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1