Their Finest
28/04/17 Filed in: Cinema
Their Finest is set in London in 1940 and takes us into the cinematic world of wartime propaganda. The Dunkirk evacuation is still raw in the minds of the public and the Ministry of Information is keen to raise moral while at the same time seeking to convince the Americans that they should join the war. Catrin, played by Gemma Arterton, has been identified as a possible script copywriter, bringing the female perspective to these public information films. She has come to London from Wales to be with her husband, Ellis, an artist whose work isn't actually mainstream, and unsurprisingly isn't selling well. Thus it falls to Catrin to earn some money.
Catrin is dispatched to interview two sisters who 'borrowed' their father's boat to join the Dunkirk evacuation. This is seen as an ideal story upon which to base a moral-lifting film. Catrin is to work with Tom, who first spotted a piece she had written. Tom's sarcasm and dismissiveness of women's dialogue as 'slop' leads to a continuing and often amusing banter between them, although it soon becomes apparent that he is attracted to her. The third member of the team is Raymond, who largely just watches on as the other two trade words. Phyl Moore, played by Rachel Stirling, keeps tabs on the team on behalf of the Ministry, her clear preference for women playing well with Tom's brand of sarcasm.
After an initial hiccup, the decision to make the film is made, and Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Nighy) is to play the sister's uncle. This was a role reluctantly accepted, as Ambrose, once famous for a screen detective, wants to play Johnny, the young rescued soldier. At risk of losing his agent, Ambrose eventually agrees to the lesser role. Things are progressing well when the team are told that they must incorporate an American serviceman in the cast, the handsome Norwegian Carl Lundbeck (even Phyl's head is turned), but unfortunately he can't act. Catrin is called upon to pander to Ambrose's ego when they want him to help Carl deliver his lines. In fact, Catrin, who earlier in the film has a brush with Ambrose, becomes his trusted scriptwriter, upon whom he comes to depend.
The team relocates to Devon to film the coastal shots, which means that Catrin will miss the opening of her husband's exhibition, he having actually managed to interest somebody in his work. She arranges a trip home but this brings an unexpected shock. On her return to Devon, Tom in his usual ham-fisted way expresses his feelings for her, but the words were all wrong and the timing certainly wasn't ideal. It takes a word from Phyl to make Catrin realise that in such uncertain times, she should perhaps grab life and be less sensitive.
The filming is going well but, because of his tiff with Catrin, Tom has struggled with a more romantic revised ending, this being called for by the Americans. Catrin stays overnight in the office to re-write it, while also penning a heartfelt note to Tom. They next meet on set, the filming having now moved to the studio, but this is the war, so perhaps we should be ready for another shock - I wasn't!
The film, The Nancy Starling, named after the sisters' boat, is a great success, so much so that a further one is planned by the Ministry about the air raid wardens, with Catrin, of course, on the team.
This is a well-balanced film, showing the indomitable wartime spirit, a good dose of humour, and a strong performance from Gemma Arteton as a woman in what was undoubtedly then very much a man's world. As one review says, she brings grace and dignity to the role.
The filming is going well but, because of his tiff with Catrin, Tom has struggled with a more romantic revised ending, this being called for by the Americans. Catrin stays overnight in the office to re-write it, while also penning a heartfelt note to Tom. They next meet on set, the filming having now moved to the studio, but this is the war, so perhaps we should be ready for another shock - I wasn't!
The film, The Nancy Starling, named after the sisters' boat, is a great success, so much so that a further one is planned by the Ministry about the air raid wardens, with Catrin, of course, on the team.
This is a well-balanced film, showing the indomitable wartime spirit, a good dose of humour, and a strong performance from Gemma Arteton as a woman in what was undoubtedly then very much a man's world. As one review says, she brings grace and dignity to the role.