Fisherman's Friends (2019) User Reviews

What a pick me up this was.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 18 March 2019]

Every year some British gem pops up in the cinema, destined to be added to my blu ray collection, a film guaranteed to lift the spirits for years to come. This is 2019's feel good film, yes you know the story, and yes you can figure out every possible turn even if you don't, but it's just such a lovely movie.

We get one man's journey of self discovery and realisation of what's important, and we get the story of ten fishermen, who's talent is harnessed against all odds.

What an assembled cast, Daniel Mays, David Hayman, and of course the wonderful Maggie Steed, but it's the poker faced James Purefoy who stands out, he is marvellous.

It has fun moments, funny lines, serious elements, and of course several heart warming scenes. All in all, it's a winner. 8/10

A broad smile from start to end

[muamba_eats_toast · 8/10 · 18 March 2019]

A feel good comedy that has you smiling from the start to the end. Yes it's probably over sensationalised and certain puns are overused but when a film has you grinning and laughing Inbetween from first minute to last you can look past its imperfections. A thoroughly good watch the only complaint is that it didn't last longer!

Charming, gentle comedy that is well worth your time

[rbaylis · 8/10 · 17 March 2019]

This is nice gentle comedy that plays out pretty much as you'd expect but that's not to disparage it in any way because it delivers precisely what you'd want it to. The real life personalities on which the story is based will be able to distinguish historical fact from liberties taken for the sake of the narrative of course. The audience knows that happens but that doesn't take anything away from the charm of the film. Had it played out a little less conventionally and a few of the supporting performances been sharper I'd have rated it a 9.

There's some nice humour that stems naturally from the tight knit community friendships when an outsider comes into their lives, and some truly wonderful harmonies in the singing of those shanties. I'm not a folk song enthusiast but there's no denying the music is resonant and lyrical. Definitely one I'll add to my collection on Blu-ray because I think it has repeat viewing potential as one of my 'feel good' film collection.

Great music with a little drama, comedy and romance

[Fudge-3 · 7/10 · 16 March 2019]

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.

A MARIGOLD-style crowd-pleaser

[davidgee · 7/10 · 23 March 2019]

If you liked THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, you'll be inclined to like this; it will help if you're a fan of sea shanties.

Despite its slimline script, FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS has a lot of charm. We're in POLDARK territory, so the scenery is a guaranteed hit, and the fishermen are a likeable (mixed) bunch. All in all, there's a healthy dollop of the feel-good factor that made THE FULL MONTY and the MARIGOLD HOTEL movies such crowd-pleasers.

Really liked it!

[Gordon-11 · 4 May 2020]

I did not expect this film to be so good! It really portrays the sense of community, tradition and most of all, love for culture and heritage. I find it really touching. Fantastic!

A good film that's enjoyable and easy to watch, with plenty of fun sea shanties and sailor humour..

[sbweightman · 7/10 · 15 March 2019]

It's a good film that is enjoyable and easy to watch, but it doesn't really do anything to stand out. The characters are likable and story is told well with a good representation of the lives of the fishermen and their journey to fame, but the drama at the end doesn't quite feel right. Predictable, but the sea shanties are fun to listen to and the humour is as you'd expect.

Beautiful

[maximovlE · 10/10 · 24 September 2019]

So much action, drama, CGI... Who needs it?

A beautiful movie right here. I don't want to know how accurate, I don't want to pick at it for mistakes. It was beautifully shot, beautifully acted, and just a beautiful movie.

Loved it.

Salt of the Sea Meets London Yuppies from Hoxton

[martimusross · 6/10 · 18 March 2019]

I really enjoyed this movie, based on a true story of a group of Cornish singing fishermen who made it big in the chart against all odds. This quintessentially British themed movie targeted for a largely British audience delivers the goods, it comes from the same genre as Four Weddings and a Funeral or indeed the recent Fighting With my Family.

Whilst this movie may be lacking in the fireworks of a car chase, organized crime, drugs and gratuitous sex, it is a solid movie in every respect. With a tight script, brilliant camera work, fine music, great scenery, and plenty of jokes, it has much to offer.

You might find some cringe-worthy scenes but they are only fleeting in their embarrassment to everyone. I would single out Daniel Mays, who played Danny the musical agent from London, for special praise, he trod the line of comedy and pathos, romantic lead and nerd so well against a backdrop of dour old seasalts.

This movie gives you exactly what is on the tin, no more and certainly no less.

I wanted to move back to Cornwall

[rich_xnp · 10/10 · 22 March 2019]

Anyone who knows Cornwall will love it. I loved there for a short time, and this was a wonderful view of my favourite county. Also a great story, well acted and well written.

A toe-tapping good time

[eddie_baggins · 7/10 · 10 May 2020]

Based on a genuinely smile-inducing true story, small-scale British film Fisherman's Friends is the type of sufficiently delivered cinematic offering that knows exactly what it is and sticks to its formula throughout, as you're likely to walk away from a screening tapping your feet and poorly reciting sea shanties long into the night.

Absolutely British through and through, FriendsHollywoodizes the story of well-known U.K folk/shanty group Fisherman's Friends, who against all the odds graduated from playing gigs to locals in Cornwall pubs to becoming one of the most successful performing groups on the British charts and in live performances.

It's a feel-good film, one with all the tried and true tropes of the genre that have been there since the dawn of cinema but director Chris Foggin never lets things get too mawkish or unbearable as he instead, with help from his likeable group of on screen rogues, ensures that you can't help but enjoy the simple delights of this against the odds true life tale.

Led by the as per usual gruff and raw James Purefoy as the groups rugged leader Jim and the likeable Daniel Mays as big-shot London record label worker Danny, Friend's loaded ensemble all acquit themselves well and while there are too many players to get to know well and a tacked on romance that isn't overly necessary between Danny and Tuppence Middleton's Alwyn, it's not enough to detour from the joys Friends has install throughout its runtime.

From early morning shanty singalongs out on the bay of the seaside setting, pub set group shenanigans and some heart-warming moments of loss, love and reflection, Friends does a great job of being more than just a loveable comedy as it touches on some important themes and ideas around its more fun and frivolous shanty-filled world.

It never threatens to transcend into anything greater than a really enjoyable good time, one that will not stick with you for the long-haul, but with such a lightness of touch and with its heart well and truly in the right place, Friends is one of the most purely enjoyable films of its type to be found in recent years, and a film that will likely be discovered and enjoyed more in the coming years after its low-key initial run.

Final Say -

You don't have to be a sea shanty singing sailor to have a great time with Fisherman's Friends, a likeable and fun true life tale that is the perfect antidote to a hard day at the office.

3 ½ paddle boards out of 5

An Enjoyable Feel Good Movie

[sealswheels · 8/10 · 17 March 2019]

We were looking for a film to watch at the local cinema, read the overview and thought we would give this one a go. It pretty much turned out exactly as we expected - Not a 10 out of 10 film, but a feel good movie that was well worth watching. I wont go into details and risk a spoiler but it is a good mix of drama and comedy. Plenty of laughs, a bit of romance and a nice story that is based on real life events. If you fancy a night out with a movie that's entertaining and an easy watch give Fishermans Friends a go.

Predictable

[sergepesic · 6/10 · 25 February 2022]

We all enjoy feel-good movies. Sometimes one just wants to curl up on the sofa and watch unrealistic, but heartwarming peace of fluff. But still, I expect little more effort. You find a beautiful spot in Cornwall, hire a great cast of skilled British actors (well-known from numerous mysteries I happen to inhale), and then what? Every, million times seen cliche and predictable plot line. Why even try to employ your brain and potential talent? Good actors and really uninspired material.

About As Enjoyable Eating A Fisherman's Friend

[loisjclark · 2/10 · 6 February 2020]

Very weak. A good cast (which is why I watched it) but a predictable, cheesy plot. Mostly filmed in Port Isaac - therefore charming, but the trouble is you expect to see Doc Martin popping up all the time. Frankly that would preferable to this disappointing drivel. I'd give it a miss unless you're incredibly bored.

A lot of singing but engaging, worth a watch.

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 14 January 2022]

Fisherman's Friends is based on true events which makes it more interesting to watch. It's a story worth to be told and even if you're not into that kind of music it's still enjoyable to watch. I can't say I liked all the songs, even though I caught myself singing along with a couple ones. Those shanties are perfect as sing-a-longs in pubs, when the majority has consumed a bit too much lagers. The acting was okay but I saw those same actors doing better in the past. The story is engaging, sometimes emotional, what makes Fisherman's Friends worth a watch.

What a treat to watch this movie!

[darethwood · 7/10 · 16 November 2019]

Filmed in the village of Port Isaac in Cornwall - Doc Martin countrt - and what a surprise when we watched this delightful movie one night while on holiday. Lovely drama and beautiful singing of Sea Shanties. I heartifully recommend it.

Yeah, buoy.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 6/10 · 25 March 2019]

By its own admission, 'Fisherman's Friends (2019)' is only 'based on a true story' in the loosest of senses, making a point of pointing this out during its credits via an unusually strong disclaimer. Of course, this is absolutely fine - indeed, it's perhaps better to use real-world events more as inspiration for a piece's premise than to claim absolute authenticity while delivering something that, in many cases, couldn't be further from that - but it does make you wonder why many of the issues that typically plague 'true tales' appear here, and why the filmmakers didn't make use of their apparently larger-than-usual dramatic license to 'fix' (or reduce the impact of) some of them. Furthermore, the flick sticks to convention past the point of pure predictability and into the realm of bizarre detriment, as a very late and contrived 'all is lost' moment unnaturally and unnecessarily drags its duration way beyond its seemingly perfect finish-line. It's not as though this totally ruins the thing, but it does feel completely artificial and take the steam out of what was becoming a fairly enjoyable experience. In general, the feature does exactly what you'd expect it to but it does it well enough, for the most part, that you don't really mind. In its second act, it becomes unexpectedly entertaining as its down-to-earth characters and overall upbeat, 'feel-good' nature start to win you over. This is in stark contrast to, as I mentioned, its laboured final act and, even, its rocky start. The ending itself does a decent job of bringing everything back together and putting a smile on your face, but it is severely dampened by what's just preceded it. As a whole, the flick isn't very deep. The core group isn't really rendered all that well because only a select few are given any real character - never-mind an actual name in the credits - and, even then, most of their development is pretty basic. Most of them are more than watchable, though, and their often humorous inter-group dynamics are certainly believable. Pretty much the entire thing is an easy watch; it's never really boring. It's never exactly exciting or emotionally engaging, though. It also doesn't really say anything, other than maybe making a broad statement that people are more important than money. The best thing, honestly, is probably the music, provided by the real Fisherman's Friends. Now, that's got character. 6/10.

lovely film

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 15 February 2021]

Based on a true story, Fisherman's Friends tells the tale of a music exec from London (Daniel Mays) who winds up in Cornwall. He winds up making stars of a group of singing fishermen. Along the way, the music executive realizes what's important in life.

Yes, a bit predictable, but it's a fun, warm film with plenty of atmosphere and excellent performances from Mays, David Hayman, Maggie Steed, James Purefoy Noel Clarke Tuppence Middleton, and the others.

Not a special effects blockbuster with action stars, but good nonetheless.

I wasn't too impressed

[cordenw · 6/10 · 15 October 2020]

The old story of a city boy being bewitched by a seaside fishing village with a wee lassie to fall in love with.

This theme has been well exploited over the years and usually the British Film industry does a good job with it.... but this was not one of those times.

First of all there was no authenticity in the Cornish cast and although the scenery is gorgeous and the backdrop was very real I just couldn't connect the actors to it.

I did connect with the hotshots from the big smoke and their parts were well played but Purefoy, I thought was a dud, as was Maggie Steed.

If you want to understand what I'm getting at you should watch Doc Martin and see how convincing each and every character is in every episode. You'll see when comparing the two that there's really NO comparison.

I don't know where they went wrong, but there were quite a few left turns that got them lost. I wasn't impressed with the sound track because they broke away from the sea shanty theme when they could have mined a motherlode of material from traditional English seafaring music. The fill music had no relation to the storyline.

Another failing was the use of trite facial expressions by the actors, and cheap tricks to develop the plot ( like a baby crying in the background or a final demand letter from the bank... give me a break will ya ).

In some scenes they could have just used outtakes from Airplane but I guess the modern directors don't have the skills to build the tensions that are required or the smarts to see what isn't working.

The end ?

Well you can predict it before the opening credits and while it is a journey that will make you smile, it is not something that you turn away from, saying "That was a great movie!"

It's a nice story but it's like a piece of IKEA furniture... good to look at but nothing solid except legs and the frame.

Great feel good film

[masonsaul · 8/10 · 18 March 2019]

Fisherman's Friends is a great feel good film that's undoubtedly predictable but also fun, funny and enjoyable with great performances from it's cast and plenty of heart and some surprisingly emotional moments. It's well paced, well filmed and the sea shanties are also great.

Heart-warming spirited fun

[masufiyo · 23 November 2019]

This film was soooo good It was hearty and funny and warming and real - based on a true story even - about ten fishermen from Cornwall, Wales who get talent spotted just doing their thing... A beautiful film about friendship and community and loyalty and love. I was completely transported. Really wish I'd taken my 13yr old stepson to appreciate it with me. It may be somewhat oversimplified but how else fo you fit months of happenings into 2 hours?! Enjoy it for what it is. A good-spirited heart-warmer 😁

has sea legs

[kevin c · 6/10 · 27 July 2019]

Movie night with Iris.

Predictable but likeable British comedy. A la Ealing Studios there's a wafer thin plot, but a likeable cast steer you through any choppy waters.

Much of the film could easily have made you groan at it's sheer predictability, but the good intentions and songs themselves save it all.

Nice light drama

[nancyldraper · 8/10 · 29 October 2020]

If your looking for warm, underdog rising, light watch for an evening, this will tick the boxes. If you enjoy tight male harmonies and songs of the sea, this will be a delight. If you're a fan of DOC MARTIN, you will love how Port Isaac becomes Port Hope. I found Daniel Mays a bit of a hard sell for a leading man but Tuppence Middleton would charm the sailors to the rocks (I've been a fan ever since SENSE8). Really enjoyed this on an evening when I didn't need to think and I could just soak in the charm, the music and the view. I give this movie a 8 (very good) out of 10. {Light Drama}

It's average in every sense of the word, but still manages to have some charm.

[domtaylor · 6/10 · 7 April 2019]

It's a pretty average 'true story' movie - which is actually, in this case, almost completely fictional (as confirmed by the fine print at the end of the credits) - that doesn't really do anything to stand out. The few character arcs that are there are completely predictable, and some of the conflicts feel falsely manufactured to give the film some more emotional weight. It also doesn't help that it's trying to be so much at once; had it focused more on one aspect of the narrative (preferably the formation of the band), it would have felt far less scattershot in terms of its themes. It's also far too long for its own good, coming in at nearly two hours, due to an unnecessary 'conventional' third act that seems to be tacked on, adding nothing to the picture as a whole. All that being said, I don't dislike the film. Although it does nothing new, it's never boring to watch things play out as expected, in part thanks to the charismatic cast that shine through their one-note characters. It's also a nice introduction to the superb sea shanties of the real life 'Fisherman's Friends', as their real songs are featured on the soundtrack. Also, the generic 'rags to riches' tale doesn't fail here as it's hard to not root for the band and feel happy for their successes, despite how little the film does to stand out. 6/10

Schmoltzy rubbish

[mdjackson-02942 · 2/10 · 18 March 2019]

Throughout the film you are constantly thinking..."I know what happens next" and unfortunately it proves you right time and time again... The sentimentality is overdone and the few decent comic lines in it are all in the trailer... The stereotypical London idiots with their terrible script are a distraction from the beautiful scenery in Cornwall....