Their Finest

Beautifully cast, intelligently written and a gorgeously assembled range of beautifully gauged emotions about movies and war, Their Finest is one of the best films of a still-young 2017.

Screen chemistry is an odd thing; often you only notice it when it isn’t there. (See: far too many Hollywood romantic comedies.) But Their Finest, an utterly charming film set in World War II-era London, contains a textbook example.

But while she's thoroughly committed to serving both the rom and the com (the film is genuinely sweet, and at times very funny) Scherfig somehow never falls into any of the obvious traps.

Their Finest may ultimately be the best words to describe the amalgamated work of all participants in this film.

Supporting turns by Bill Nighy, Rachael Stirling, Jack Lacy and Helen McCrory work to make Their Finest a testament to the familial nature that defined the film industry during the Second World War, as well as proof that it’s possible to breed joy in the midst of bleakness.

Intimately focusing on its main character's personal triumphs, its refusing to fall into heavy-handed polemicism.

At its core, it’s really just a workplace love story that grows increasingly uninterested in its plucky heroine’s journey in favour of hitting familiar rom-com notes – and to give audiences another reason to love Bill Nighy.

Short-sighted and uneven, Their Finest is still a fun film. It is beautifully acted and the plot twists and turns, although sometimes predictable, are enough to keep you interested. The feminist message gets lost and ends up as good-old-British spunk, but I tended to forgive what my head objected to since the film was so enjoyable. This is not the kind of film that wins awards, but you can spend a pleasant afternoon or evening watching it.

A nice movie, with a few laughs provided by the always welcome Bill Nighy, that fits in as a nice companion piece to 2017's Year of the Dunkirk Remembrance. This film suffers from what amounts to a cop out - it's a feel good piece of cake that then decides it doesn't want to be that and spits in your face for what amounts to no discernible reason.

The war and the cinema! The film was based on the book and about filmmaking, particularly screen writing. Fictional comedy-drama that is set in London in 1940. While the war tearing apart the nation, some people are not disturbed by it. They are going ahead with their film projects, especially war themed to boost the people's confidence. That's when the new arrival, Mrs. Cole, begins her career as a writer. So her experience working with the scripts, meeting the real people whose story are getting adapted and her gloomy romance, everything lets us know. A nice film and a little different than the majority of the film that came this year. The focus was good. I mean while bombs falling from the sky, all this tale concentrated was film business. Something like 'Argo', but given less preference to the war, except its consequences which diverted their plan in some scenario. So there were many small-small twist and turns. It also gets emotional at one stage. A well written and directed film similar to what the film characters did their best in the story. Gemma was good, but Claflin was totally different, in a good way. As much as I enjoyed, I also thought it should have been even better. Because thematically it was not for everyone. I mean the world war was a good idea, but the filmmaking was not like you are usually familiar with. Besides, it was not a laughing out loud comedy. Between the seriousness of war and fun around making films, the combination was rare and well worked out. Those who love pre 50s, 40s settings in a film would enjoy it for sure. Especially if they like films about films. 6/10

The British film industry continued during World War II with a focus was on boosting morale and promoting the war effort. Gemma Arterton plays an eager young woman who falls into a scriptwriting job. We follow her experience, including the uncertain relationship with another young writer (Sam Claflin). At one point, the American producing partners suggest the picture needs more punch. The creators of THIS film could have profited from that advice. The pace never varies…even the dramatic moments and bombings are happen with an underplayed approach. Ultimately, this often makes it rather dull. There are interesting glimpses at period movie production, Bill Nighy's arrogant actor provides some humorous moments and it's a sweet story. A bit more drama and variety would have given it more appeal.

Sitting and watching “Their Finest” I wondered if it worth 120 minutes of your time to go behind the scenes to see how propaganda films were made in Britain during WW2? What about seeing a consummate performance by Bill Nighy as a previously lead actor now older and made to play supporting roles? What about a supporting cast of top rate British actors whose name you might not know or even possibly their faces? Or would you be interested in seeing how women were treated in the 1940s even when the country were short of men who were off to war? On the other hand are you willing to spend 100 minutes of those 120 sitting through a very slow moving movie where nothing really happens except for a scene now and then between Nighy and Eddie Marsan, the latter playing his agent, which is almost stolen from the latter’s dog? Is it worth trying to decipher very heavy British accents just to get a look on Nighy’s face when he discovers he will be playing a man way past his prime? (A definite yes to that scene!) There is a somewhat love story that offers little interest, between Gemma Arterton and Jack Huston that becomes a triangle when Sam Claflin, as her co-worker, enters the picture. Also Rachael Stirling as a sort of Ann Southern/EveArden type of second banana offers some humor, and questions, as a member of the Ministry of Information division. Jeremy Irons has a cameo and Jack Lacy plays an American war hero who has to be, I hope on purpose, one of the worst actors ever! Is it worth sitting through 120 minutes of “Their Finest” to see Bill Nighy? No, just look at the trailer and get an idea of how he elevates the movie just from his quick scenes here.