"Bank of Dave"

2023 * PG-13 * 1h 58m “We live in troubled times” as the saying goes. Actually, if you think about it, just about every time in history has its fair share of troubles. Whether it’s caused by wars, politics, economics, or any number of things that can get you down. So it’s nice to have a safe haven where you can put negative thoughts aside for an hour or two. That’s the way I felt while watching the heartwarming film “Bank of Dave.” The fact that it’s loosely based on a true story, makes it even more of a restorative.

This sweet movie is about Dave Fishwick, the owner of several van dealerships in Northern England. It was written by Piers Ashworth and Clare Keogh and was directed by Chris Foggin (“Fisherman’s Friends,” “This is Christmas”). It’s one of those films that has you rooting for the underdog that the Brits do so well. If you’re not smiling by the time the film ends, I’ll be shocked.

“Bank of Dave” takes place in the years following the economic collapse in 2008. The film opens in a friendly English pub where Dave (Rory Kinnear) is singing a rousing Karaoke number to an enthusiastic crowd. When he’s done, a gentleman hands him a wad of cash, paying him back for a recent loan with un-asked for interest. The loan was for the building of new shopping center. As the story unfolds, we learn that Dave has the heart of gold, and he’s leant money to hundreds of locals without interest, just to help folks achieve their dreams, no matter how big or small they are.

Then Dave has a brainstorm. What if he opened a small bank, focused on making these sorts of loans official? He’s so taken with the idea, he contacts a London law firm to assist him in his endeavor. The case is given to Hugh (Joel Fry), a hotshot lawyer who knows what he’s up against. It soon becomes obvious that he has almost no chance of winning the case. There hasn’t been a new bank in Great Britain in over 150 years. And the big banks intend to keep it that way. Even though they lost millions of pounds, the upper management helped themselves to millions in compensation and bonuses.

Hugh, the wealthy, big city lawyer visits Dave in the small town of Burnley. Dave takes him around town and we witness all the good he’s done by lending money to the locals as well as friends and family. He’s actually making a difference in the lives of others in the community. Slowly, the skeptical attorney begins to come around and he starts getting fired up about his case.

He submits his application to the U.K.’s Financial Regulation Board, not quite sure what to expect. There he meets Sir Charles, played by Hugh Bonneville. Mr. Bonneville usually plays a kind-hearted gentleman like he did in “Downton Abbey,” “Paddington,” and “Notting Hill.” Here he plays an evil, conniving sort, and he does it quite well. His years at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre certainly paid off.

While Hugh is being initiated into Dave’s plan, he meets his niece Alexandra (Phoebe Dynevor), a doctor at the local emergency clinic. She tells him that her dream is to open a free medical clinic so those in need can get the attention they deserve. It sounds a bit like socialism, but they way she sells Hugh on it, it just makes sense. And it isn’t long before their friendship becomes a bit more than that. It encourages him to try just that much harder to help Dave win his case.

It’s then that the story hits a snag. A female friend of Hugh’s is working to get ahead at her law firm. She absconds with a page of Hugh’s files and turns it over to the powers that be. It’s a record of a loan Dave made to a local woman to help her pay for her husband’s funeral. Technically, the loan wasn’t totally legal and it’s the basis of a trial that is aimed to stop the founding of a new bank. If Dave is found guilty, he wouldn’t be able to start a bank since he’d have a criminal record.

The story is one of those heartfelt dramas that is guaranteed to have you grinning from ear to ear. One thing that makes it such a wonderful film is Dave’s character. Kinnear, even though he’s gotten filthy rich over the years, has never forgotten about where he came from. And he’s always giving back to the community. He delivers several speeches that’ll make you practically jump out of your seat and shout, “You go guy!” What a great performance.

If you’re looking for something that’ll restore your faith in humanity, don’t miss this fine movie.

Currently streaming on Kanopy and Hoopla (for free with your library card) and Netflix. And to rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Fandango, and other streaming services.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars