Chris Foggin’s Fisherman’s Friends is an “inspired by” true events story of an unlikely pop singing group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, a struggling fishing village. Fisherman’s Friends tells a good tale and is an uplifting rags-to-riches story. It’s also a great example of my frustrations with “inspired by” movies.
Our film is about the famous Cornish singing group, Fisherman’s Friends. Boasting the most amazing harmonies, the band consists of a group of fishermen who love to sing the salty, sea shanties of old. Our tale is also the story of a corporate music manager tasked with finding the next big act and, as a joke, is asked to sign the fishermen. But the joke’s on the joker.
“Boasting the most amazing harmonies, the band of fishermen singing the salty, sea shanties of old.”
Music manager Danny (Daniel Mays) finds himself in Port Isaac with his co-workers as they are scouting the town for an upcoming wedding. The group stumbles across a local group of fishermen performing in the town square. After hearing the aforementioned amazing harmonies, Danny’s boss insists he signs the group to keep his career at the firm on track. What Danny doesn’t know is he’s being pranked and is soon ditched by his cohorts.
With task in tow, Danny heads to the pub to sign the lads. His signing news excites the group, but the final decision goes to Jim (Jim Purefoy), who is the leader. The film’s conflict comes in that Danny believes the Fisherman’s Friends has the talent and appeal to be famous and tour the world. For the boys, particularly Jim, they know fame is not sure and the pursuit of fame will have ramifications on their personal lives and a small town that relies on their fishing business to survive…but the publicity.
"…sometimes real life often doesn’t always make for a good, compelling story…"
