Bank of Dave – Movie Review
Director: Chris Foggin
Writer: Piers Ashworth (Screenplay)
Cast
- Joel Fry (Yesterday)
- Rory Kinnear (Men)
- Hugh Bonneville (I Came By)
- Paul Kaye (Anna and the Apocalypse)
- Phoebe Dynevor (The Colour Room)
Plot: Based on the true-life experiences of Dave Fishwick; ‘Bank of Dave’ tells the story of how a working-class Burnley man and self-made millionaire fought to set up a community bank.
Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Bank of Dave starts when lawyer Hugh (Fry) gets sent from London to Burnley. In Burnley, self-made millionaire David Fishwick (Kinnear) wants to open up a new community bank. He has been helping his community for years now, giving back to the community to create opportunities established banks refuse money to.
When Hugh learns the good nature of Dave’s plan, he goes forward with the idea of setting up the bank. However, Sir Charles (Bonneville) doesn’t want to let a new bank step on the multi-billionaire business. Hugh must use his own skills as a lawyer to help make this a possibility.
Verdict on Bank of Dave
Characters
Hugh is a lawyer from London assigned to assist in Burnley as a businessman who wants to open a bank. He must use his neutral status to advise him on the best course of action and prepare him for what he might face. Hugh isn’t used to going that North and sees a different point of view on life, getting attached to the small town.
Dave Fishwick is a self-made millionaire operating in Burnley. He has always used his money to help the community, creating jobs and helping improve the finances in the area. Dave wants to challenge the establishment by creating his own bank, so he can help more people who get rejected by the big banks in the country. He is one of the nicest, friendliest people you would ever meet.
Elsewhere, in the supporting characters we have Sir Charles who is against the Bank of Dave. Using his power to make sure it doesn’t happen. Alexandra, Dave’s niece whom Hugh takes a shine to with her own vision of what Dave wants to offer.
Performances
Joel Fry is excellent in the leading role, being the outsider in the world he isn’t used to. Showing nervous traits at times, despite knowing he is skilled enough to get the job done. Rory Kinnear is the star of the show, he brings out an outstanding character. One that is so welcoming in everything he does, confident and a character you root for from the first moment you meet him. There is also an excellent supporting cast that gets plenty of laughs along the way.
Story
The story follows an ambitious self-made millionaire that wants to open a bank for his local community. We follow a lawyer who is assigned to advise him, only for him to understand and respect the idea. This leads to the battle against the banking system to let the bank open.
Bank of Dave is based on the real story behind the establishment of the country’s smallest bank in Burnley. It highlights how big businesses have become distant from their customers. Showing that banks don’t do enough to support smaller communities in the country. While the fight to make it happens feels rather generic, it is told in a fun enjoyable way. One that quickly establishes Dave as an all-around nice guy you want to support.
Where to Watch: Bank of Dave is available on Netflix.
Final Thoughts – Bank of Dave is a brilliant, enjoyable, and heartfelt movie.
