"Brilliant" Martin Clunes drama hailed as a "classic" climbs trending chart on UK streaming

A feel-good comedy-drama starring Martin Clunes has jumped up the streaming charts in the UK, becoming the third most-watched film on NOW. Released in March, Mother's Pride follows musician Cal Harley (Jonno Davies) as he returns to his home village in Somerset following the death of his mother.

Fractures in the relationship with his dad, played by Clunes, begin to show as they work together to keep their struggling pub afloat. To keep the business alive, they resolve to brew their own real ale to enter the Great British Beer Awards competition.

Directed and co-written by Fisherman's Friends screenwriter Nick Moorcroft, Mother's Pride also stars James Buckley, Luke Treadaway, Mark Addy, Miles Jupp, Josie Lawrence, Emily Lloyd-Saini and Gabriella Wilde.

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The film is currently available to stream on Sky Cinema and NOW in the UK. Unsurprisingly, it has become a wholesome hit on the streamer after earning positive reviews from fans on Letterboxd earlier in the year.

"A simple, funny, bittersweet little tale. Sometimes it's just nice to watch a film that cheers you up and makes you laugh, and this was just that!" wrote one fan, while another offered: "Absolutely brilliant movie very very funny and great story."

"A mix of funny and heartwarming. Just a classic British film," reads a third review, while a fourth user praised the "glowing West Country photography" and the "typically amusing supporting turn" from Addy.

Critics have been a tad more conservative, with The Observer describing it as "an underdog tale straining so hard to be endearing that it's more likely to pull a muscle than tug a heartstring".

Empire Magazine, meanwhile, branded the comedy-drama "parochial pub-based piffle" while likening it to "a pint that's gone a bit flat", though they did appreciate the "sincerity" of the film.

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The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes currently sits at a solid 68%, with one person writing: "It felt like it was trying far too hard to be Fisherman's Friends, but without the same charm."

"Predictable - yes, totally. Believable - not quite. But enjoyable overall," was another comment, while a third wrote: "Predictable, but love what the story is supposed to mean. Don't overthink, have a cup of tea or a beer/ale and enjoy the movie."

Mother's Pride is available to stream on Sky Cinema and NOW.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).