Bank of Dave (2023)

Bank of Dave is the kind of true-story crowd-pleaser that reminds you movies can still be sincere without being sappy: a warm, funny, big-hearted underdog tale where decency is treated like a superpower. Rory Kinnear gives a wonderfully grounded performance, making Dave Fishwick’s plainspoken stubbornness feel heroic in the most human way, while the film finds steady laughs and real affection in the clash between a tight-knit Northern town and London’s polished gatekeepers. The vibe is upbeat and reassuring, with just enough righteous indignation to keep you cheering, and a message about community that lands because it’s earned, not preached. If you’re allergic to feel-good storytelling or want sharper edges, it may be too gentle—but if you could use a smart, comforting watch, this one goes down easy and leaves you lighter.

Bank of Dave is aiming for an uplifting, working-class underdog crowd-pleaser about taking on the London financial establishment and winning one for the community, and it mostly plays like a feel-good TV movie in the best and worst ways. The problem is it’s very by-the-numbers: you can see the inspirational beats coming a mile off, and the story feels smoothed out and heavily fictionalised, which takes the sting out of the real-world fight. Some supporting characters are sketched rather than lived-in, and a romantic subplot shows up more out of obligation than necessity, adding a slightly artificial sheen to what should feel gritty. If you’re happy with a safe, broadly charming true-story drama anchored by Rory Kinnear’s likable performance and a warm sense of place, it’ll do the job; if you want nuance, bite, or something that feels genuinely unpredictable, this probably isn’t your film.