Review of Their Finest (2017) by Spangle — 21 Apr 2017

Their Finest is British comedy at its finest, even if its mostly British cast is directed by Danish director Lone Scherfig. Set in 1940, Their Finest focuses on the efforts of the British Ministry of Information to make a film about the war that is both authentic and optimistic. They did not want to beat around the bush of how horrible things could be, but wanted to show that their boys could overcome these challenges, thereby creating confidence and support for the war. In the midst of this production process, Scherfig's film often mirrors the effort to be "authentic and optimistic", but not just for the war. Rather, about women's roles in society and their ability to be everything a man can be and possibly even do it better than their male counterparts. Featuring an excellent cast, Their Finest is an terribly funny film that is not afraid to show the carnage of 1940s London during the air raids and the problems faced by women in workforce.

Focused on Catrin Cole (Gemma Arterton), Their Finest shows her various problems. Her boyfriend/husband Ellis (Jack Huston) does not respect her and takes it as a personal affront when she gets a job as the writer of female lines for that aforementioned war film. The government pays her less than men because there is no way they could pay her as much as a man. Main writer Tom Buckley (Sam Claflin) admits they need a female writer to write the "slop" aka female dialogue. As with many men of the time period, he clearly does not value what a woman could bring, also denigrating Phyl Moore (Rachael Stirling) for being, what he thinks, a "Ministry spy" who reports on the ongoing writing process. Actor Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Nighy) thinks she is an adoring fan when she first tries to give him notes on a scene. Yet, by the end of the film, everybody recognizes something: she has a unique voice and must be heard. She is a woman, yes, but she is capable of writing a great film just like any man could. Her tireless efforts are what turned their film, "The Nancy Starling" into not just great propaganda, but a film that captured what the war meant. From showing older people lose their grandsons after losing sons in the first war to men trying to be heroes and to women trying to help any way they reasonably can despite the obstacles put in their way, her film is an embodiment of the British spirit at the time and showcases her skills as a screenwriter.

While its feminist themes may be a little on-the-nose, Scherfig nimbly weaves them into this wartime tale with a plot that often follows the same beats as the one that Catlin is writing for the government. As a result, however, her film touches on the same themes. In depicting the struggles of women throughout history and of a wartorn Britain, Their Finest spares no punches. We see men get blown up. People lose loved ones constantly in this film. Yet, together, it is possible to rise above. It is tragic and you can of course grieve their loss, but it does not define you and it can be something to grow and overcome down the line. No matter the obstacles before you, through unity and individual strength, everything can be overcome. In essence, the film is "authentic and optimistic.".

To accent these moments of heavy-hitting drama, Scherfig capably inserts plenty of comedy that hits all the right notes. Never forced and always naturally introduced, the film relies upon the charisma of its actors to make its quick jokes really come off, especially Bill Nighy. Turning in a masterful performance as a self-absorbed veteran actor who sees it as his duty to act in the place of the young men who are at war, Nighy is not just a master of the dramatic moments, but makes the comedy really click due to great delivery. While the film does not always meet its aspirations of being a modern screwball comedy, Nighy is one character who really demonstrates a capability in screwball comedy with zippy dialogue that finds comedy in otherwise mundane comments.

Perhaps one of the film's more divisive moments could be its insistence on including elements of production and writing the movie the film is about, which could be seen as too manipulative at trying to get movie lovers interested in the film. Yet, while a bit manipulative, it works entirely. Their Finest is practically porn for movie lovers. Showing the writing process between Catlin and Tom, the on-location sequences at Dunkirk with some great jokes and dramatic moments for Nighy during the shooting, and the studio sequences, Their Finest walks you from conception to release and it is always captivating. The changes the film takes, how it willfully plays with reality to tell a better story, and how it all comes together in the end after heavy editing to pander to various audiences, Their Finest is a modern day take on Hollywood and the production process that really hits all the right notes. I love films about Hollywood and making movies with Their Finest being no exception.