Bank of Dave Parent Guide

Hugh (Joel Fry) is a London lawyer who finds himself on an uncomfortable assignment in the unfamiliar northern countryside aiding a local hero named Dave Fishwick (Rory Kinnear). Dave is a successful minibus salesperson who has used his business acumen to help other townspeople invest wisely. The beneficiaries of his knowledge and generosity are encouraging him to start his own bank and, as a man who prides himself on believing in his community, Dave sets out to do just that. It’s been 150 years since a new bank has been chartered, so Hugh’s brief is to advise Dave and his town of Burnley as they struggle to fight the entrenched interests of the London-based banking establishment.

If you’ve ever lived in the UK, this feel-good tale of a small Northern town will definitely make you smile. It is one of those movies you can enjoy but it’s not something to write home about. Sometimes, it may feel like a Hallmark movie, but I suppose that’s the purpose of a ‘feel-good’ movie. The plot is quite standard in terms of the underdog story; a nerdy city boy finds peace and joy in the quiet countryside as well as a romantic connection and a simple good-guy triumphs against the establishment. Other than that, there’s not much to say about the cast. You’ve got your standard British bloke, quirky but friendly townspeople and the attractive single girl who inevitably ends up with the main character.

It may come as a shock that Bank of Dave is loosely based on true events. A quick Wikipedia search reveals that Dave Fishwick is a real person and his profits are donated to charity (just to add on to the good feelings). Many of the main events are fictional and exaggerated but they help to keep the viewers engaged. If you’re a fan of Def Leppard, you may enjoy a few more scenes.

The script contains some mild and moderate profanity as well as lots of British slang that some might find uncomfortable - but if Ron Weasley can get away with saying “bloody” in a children’s movie, Dave can be justified in calling a few banks some “buggers”. As someone who struggles with accents, I’ve come to appreciate the many dialects in the UK which is one of those nice touches that demonstrates that not every British person sounds like they’re from London!

As said before, Dave of Bank delivers plenty of optimism, faith in humanity and British hospitality. It is worth noting there is a soon-to-depart three-episode docuseries on Netflix that follows the real Dave Fishwick and his journey in forming his own bank. The Bank of Dave is sure to get a few chuckles out of the whole family and will get you talking about culture, community, and fighting the right battles. It’s certainly a pleasant change from explosions, spandex-clad combatants, and non-stop digital effects.