Mother's Pride Review: A Weak Brew of Post-Brexit Populism
The creative team behind Fisherman's Friends has ventured into new territory with Mother's Pride, swapping sea shanties for real ale in a post-Brexit pub comedy. Starring Martin Clunes, this film aims to capture the struggles of culturally endangered Anglo-Saxon traditions but ultimately serves up a flat and formulaic narrative.
Plot and Setting: Rival Pubs and Predictable Conflicts
Set in the West Country, the story revolves around two rival establishments. On one side is the Drovers Arms, a spit-and-sawdust local pub overseen by Clunes as a salt-of-the-earth widower, grappling with a grasping brewery's supply chain. Opposite stands a la-di-da gastropub owned by the posh Pritchard, played by Luke Treadaway. While the scenic Cornish backdrop of Fisherman's Friends is gone, the film retains a similar structure, laden with clunky exposition and groan-inducing dad jokes.
Tension arises between Clunes and his prodigal son, Jonno Davies, who proposes homebrewing as a radical solution to save the business. Subplots include an awkward reunion with old flame Gabriella Wilde and arbitrary resolutions, such as a villager crowdfunding a replacement microbrewery in mere minutes. Director Nick Moorcroft seems to rely on audience sympathy for rickety pubs to carry the film, but this sentiment feels forced and unearned.
Performances and Humour: Mixed Results and Missed Opportunities
Martin Clunes manages to cobble together a character from the thin material, showing commitment in his role. Mark Addy, as the town drunk, delivers a gamely performance with an asthmatic running gag involving disco-infused morris dancing. However, supporting actors like Josie Lawrence and Miles Jupp are underutilized, with brief appearances that hint at potential for a funnier, more improvised film.
The humour often falls flat, with would-be cheeky nods to TikTok and dogging delivered in a stilted, backbench MP manner. The film's attempt at populism feels shallow, reducing the case for preserving pubs to a "last refuge for middle-aged depressives," lacking the depth seen in works like Ken Loach's The Old Oak.
Overall Verdict: A Mild and Uninspired Effort
In conclusion, Mother's Pride is a weak beer of a film, offering little beyond its modest post-Brexit niche. With predictable plot twists, such as the least surprising surprise result at a real ale awards ceremony, it fails to innovate or engage. While it may appeal to fans of gentle uplift, the clunky execution and sentiment on tap make it a forgettable addition to the genre. The film is set for release in UK and Irish cinemas from 6 March, but viewers seeking substance should look elsewhere.
