Full(y) English Review by Isla-Sophia

Full(y) English Review

By Isla-Sophia

Full(y) English is a charming, honest look into the community among the Great British cafe. With it's natural English wit and grease, it’s a light-hearted yet insightful documentary short, made by the team behind Goths’ Own Country and directed by Ferdie Simon, it is a film I would recommend to any brit, especially Wandsworth residents.

The short is a well-crafted compilation of interviews of both Caff regulars and owners which stresses the importance of community and, simultaneously, the impact and assimilation of immigrants in London.

Never had I noticed these diners, I'd seen them, but I never knew them until watching this film. I quite literally saw them in a new light through the great cinematography: handheld candid close-ups, establishing shots of the classic cafes and warm, grained colouring telling of the welcoming and nostalgic feel of the settings. ‘Full(y) English’ not only gave me an appreciation for the classic look of iconic greasy spoons, seeing places I had passed before romanticized and in depth, but also a newfound respect for the owners and what they contribute to our society. 

The film opens with a closeup on a young lady telling the audience how a fully English breakfast is the one thing “British people will always agree on.” What a great way to set up the film as we learn later on how caffs, a faithful provider of full English breakfasts, are an incubator of community and bring people of all different ages and ethnicities together, giving further weight to the film’s title, “Full(y) English” and what it actually means to be English.

Interestingly enough, the film also reveals how a lot of these cozy spots, iconic of British street life and cuisine, are run by immigrant families. This serves as evidence of how England has been crafted by immigrants, whether they choose to assimilate or keep their cultural dishes on the menu. 

Unfortunately, ‘Full(y) English’ also conveys how small businesses are struggling after Covid. One owner tells us how seeing a line at his till is only a monthly occurrence which is heartbreaking to hear coming from such a passionate worker. Another family, a character of an owner, tells us he has picked up working 7 days a week just to “cover the patch” left after Covid. However, it’s far from a gloomy documentary, Simon’s film also stresses how much tighter communities can become in times of struggle like today. One young customer shares how she feels it is important for her to be putting money in families pockets rather than some billionaire that she has never met. Another heartfelt sentiment told is how one of the cafe owners cooks all meals for one of his loyal customers, on the house, as he cannot afford to take care of himself. The more characters that are interviewed, the more you learn how important cafes are to their collective of customers. Whether that is through the bonds that they make with each other or the owners "Is it fair to say this cafe is an important part of your life?” “Yes", answered a regular who shared her story and how important the support of the cafe bunch have been to her.

Full(y) English helped me uncover a pride to be part of the borough and pride to be human, seeing the beauty of community shown in such a simple setting. Cafe, “Use it or lose it” said Simon to which I agree. If we end up losing cafes and their business does not last, their legacy will always be conserved in this gem.