Bank of Dave - Film Review

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Posted 2023-05-29 by Jen ⇒ follow

Bank of Dave stars Joel Fry (Disney's Cruella), Rory Kinnear (Bill Tanner in James Bond films Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre), Phoeby Dynevor (Daphne in the popular Bridgerton), and Hugh Bonneville (in a terrifyingly brilliant Netflix film - I Came By). Inspired by real events, Hugh (Joel Fry) the struggling London lawyer has his work cut out for him when he gets sent to Burnley, Lancashire, to help Dave (Rory Kinnear) who sells vans, set up a tiny local bank that uses local money to fund local enterprise. It's going to be a fight, as the financial regulation board have never granted a new bank license in 150 years; and if they did, it certainly wouldn't be to someone like Dave, as he's not quite 'the right kind of chap'. Then there's Sir Charles, the villain in the story who will do all he can to thwart Hugh's efforts in making Dave's good deeds come true.

Written by Piers Ashworth and Directed by Chris Foggin (Fisherman's Friends), Bank of Dave will be in Cinemas on 1 June 2023, with a running time of 107 minutes. It's rated 'M'.

Dave Fishwick is just a very nice bloke. Once the world's most productive and profitable mill town, Burnley now ranks among the most deprived and neglected towns in the North of England. Dave, however, has done well for himself with a lot of hard work and some hustle. But he's not the type to keep wealth all to himself. In the wake of the last financial crisis, he starts lending money at reduced rates to his customers and local businesses. As they started making money, they'd ask Dave to reinvest it for them; which of course prompted him to think 'why not set up a tiny local bank for local money to fund local enterprise! and call it The Bank of Dave!'

Hugh on the other hand is a struggling lawyer that Dave hires to make his dream a reality. He's appalled he has to venture all the way to the grim North of England and is determined to talk Dave out of the whole idea. He didn't bargain for meeting the radical local councillor and emergency room doctor Alexandra (Phoebe Dynevor) who convinces him of the merits of Dave's idea. He tells Dave the financial authorities are unlikely to back him, but he hopes to win the day in the court of public opinion where bankers hold far less sway. The expected dirty deeds and playing dirty by the banks do not disappoint. The battle takes place in front of the magistrates; Hugh puts in a virtuoso performance, but the banks take a different tack by imposing impossible financial conditions - one that a small fish in a big pond like Dave cannot meet. That's when Def Leppard are called upon to try and help save the day.

Bank of Dave has all the hallmarks of a typically British feel-good film that engages you and warms your heart. Joel Fry as the big city lawyer who has a change of heart about a small town and its people is the perfect candidate for the role. He does well in expressing his reticence that slowly thaws and warms to the locals, and you find yourself feeling really pleased for him when he has his day in court. He's not your typical handsome hero, but his whole demeanour just draws you in and you just want to squeeze him because he's just so damn cute.

Veterans and legends like Rory Kinnear and Hugh Bonneville are faultless as opposite sides of the scales. Hugh is especially charismatic and commanding whether he's playing the good guy or the bad guy. There's no hit-and-miss about watching this British film, as they are masters of the tried and true feel-good formula of British films. It's a film that'll make you smile and wish it would go on for a bit longer. Plus bonus, you get to see and hear Def Leppard who have sold more than 110 million albums worldwide and awarded two prestigious Diamond Awards in the U.S., 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductees Def Leppard - Joe Elliott (vocals), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick Savage (bass), Vivian Campbell (guitar) and Rick Allen (drums), continue to be one of the most important forces in rock music.