Fisherman's Friends

Everyone's heard of that herbal remedy Fisherman's friends right? I have to say they are something that I have never tried but I have heard they're an acquired taste so they're probably not for me.

But one thing I have tried, well seen, is the movie Fisherman's Friends.

Just before Mother's Day weekend my housemate told me she wanted to go and see a film all about some fisherman and their lives. At the time it didn't really interest me because I wasn't really sure what it was about but then on Mothering Sunday I was watching Sunday Brunch on Channel 4 (shout out to Simon and Tim) and there was a music group on there called the Fisherman's Friends. They were on Sunday Brunch to promote a new film that was coming out all about their lives and how they got a record deal after being heard singing sea shanties. It was then I realised that it was the film my housemate wanted to go and see.

When this lovely group of men started singing on Sunday Brunch I was enthralled. Sea shanties aren't really something I've come across very much or studied in much depth but they are just so hypnotizing and the harmonies they were singing were just so tight and beautiful. Now I really wanted to see the film too and luckily for me when I got back and asked my housemate, Grace, if she had been she hadn't . So it was decided, we were going on a joint trip to the cinema and we weren't disappointed.

This film took us on a whirlwind of emotions and some of the characters went from being an idiot to being a hero then an idiot then a hero and so on and so on. It was so enthralling. And of course the singing, although the real Fisherman's Friends were played by actors in the film, the soundtrack is still all their own voices which I'm so glad about because they have such beautiful voices.

I love how this film shows us the how the shanties are passed down the generations and they really are a kind of work song. They keep everyone motivated and working in time with each other to the beat of the song. It's amazing the power singing a song together can have. It really brings out that sense of comradery between the fisherman. They really are one big family, related or not, and they want to help each other out.

The film starts by introducing us to some rather entitled men who, I have to say, annoyed me quite a lot but we can't like everyone can we. Anyway, it turns out that they work in the music business, signing and managing new artists. Needless to say they stick out like a sore thumb when they go down to Port Issac for a stag do since one of them is getting married. Not only do they stick out but they also start to butt heads with a few of the locals due to their lack of respect and general demeanor.

One day as they're about to leave this picturesque village they see the fisherman singing by the shore and one of the men, Danny gets convinced to go and convince the fishermen to sign with the label. So off he goes, rather disgruntled, to try and use all his charms in an attempt to get them on board. Little did he know it was all a big prank as his friends left him behind and strung him along for days telling him he had to nab them before someone else did.

But as he got to know the fisherman and learnt about their ways and their heritage he began to believe in them and wanted them to succeed. He saw the gap in the market that was perfect for them to fill. Only, when he told his friends they all laughed at him and told him to get back to London and leave the fisherman be. But Danny didn't give up. He booked gigs for the fisherman and eventually managed to get them signed.

Today the fisherman have had a top ten album, had a documentary on ITV, recorded many albums and even sang for the Queen. So to say they've been a success is kind of an understatement.

Obviously the film isn't that straight forward as them just getting signed. There's twists and turns, a little romance story and unfortunately a little sadness but this is balanced out by funny little one liners which had me in tears laughing.

I haven't enjoyed a film as much as that in a long time, and I'm glad the fisherman got to have their story told. Granted there are a few little untruths added for dramatic affect but the music is at the heart of the film and that's the important thing.

This music brought these people together and will continue to bring people together as all music does. But I'm glad I finally found this music because, as haunting as some of the songs can be, they d make me feel motivated and feel like I'm part of a team. Even if it is just me washing the dishes.

So, if you haven't seen it I definitely recommend it, just don't forget your tissues!