I loved Bank of Dave. It’s the perfect feel good biopic, a simple and truthful story of a good egg, Dave. Helping out those less fortunate with honest local banking. Dave Fishwick (Rory Kinnear) returns here to update us on how the local bank for local people is doing, as he sets his sights on a new financial enemy, payday lenders. It’s the same premise. Guy with a big heart and the means to help those who are struggling with money, sets out on a mission whilst poignant strings play in the background. Yes it’s simple and schmaltzy, but this story works, again, because of the issues it’s tackles and the honesty with which it does it… and just a little bit of northern flair. So Dave, in Burnley in case you’d forgot. Teams up with the reluctant Jessica (Chrissy Metz), a New York journalist and Oliver (Amit Shah), from Citizens Advice to right some wrongs. The dialogue, although well delivered, is a touch wooden in places as the trio explain the basic concept of loan sharks and how a bunch of them in America are now using the UK’s loopholes to “feather their own nests”. Lots of people on their own, getting stitched up by late fees and astronomical interest rates, won’t get their voices heard alone, but together, well maybe they will. That’s the plan to begin with, but it’s not plain sailing. The stories are tragic, heartbreaking, worryingly familiar. People already struggling, scared, ashamed. Desperately in need of help, but terrified of accepting it. The focus of Dave’s attack falls on Carlo Mancini (Rob Delaney), a New Jersey based tycoon who runs one of the biggest lenders. He doesn’t like this and fights back dirty with the help of Margot (Leila Farzad), who, in threatening to take down the Bank of Dave, makes a big mistake. It’s quintessentially no nonsense surface stuff and I imagine a cynical viewer would find fault in its British charm and the budding love story woven between the dialed up drama. Sod the cynics I say, this is marvellous. With Dave practicing his courtroom chops with his wife, Nicky (Jo Hartley) in their living room with a load of stuffed toys as the jury and a giraffe as the judge, honestly what’s not to love! The villain last time out, Charles Denbigh (Hugh Bonneville), also returns… but this time he’s got Dave’s back. It’s a fleeting appearance, but these little plots points help build the story beautifully. The cast are wonderful, it’s of course got a satisfying finale AND Def Leopard are back!! It’s rare that a sequel lives up to the promise of its predecessor and maybe this falls a shade short, but honestly, it’s bloody close.
9/10

Commentaires