Banking in England, it seems, is just as messed up as banking in the U.S., only different. But this “based on a true story” film makes money management in pounds and pence genuinely enjoyable.
The Bank of Dave is a David and Goliath tale, with entrepreneur minibus salesman Dave Fishwick challenging the U.K. banking establishment. He has been making loans to people in his hometown of Burnley, a small town (pop. 73,000 in 2000 ) about 30 miles north of Manchester and 250 miles northwest of London. He’s been doing this as a courtesy through his business and has had zero defaults on a substantial number of loans. He wants to make things official—open up a bank.
The arcane banking rules in England, however, make it very difficult to open a bank. Like really, really difficult. Nobody has been allowed to start a new bank in 150 years.
So it’s Dave, played with warmth and charm by Rory Kinnear vs. The Establishment. Lawyers are hired, karaoke is sung, there’s a courtroom battle, a benefit concert featuring a band well known to people of a certain age, plus a rom-com subplot.
Is it a true story? Well, sort of, mostly.
It’s great fun completely devoid of murder and mayhem. The north-country accents are not too difficult to understand so subtitles are not essential. Two big thumbs up from the residents of Hedgehog House.
Thanks to Liz Blanch for the tip.
Anon.
Ridge