Their Finest (2016)

Directed by: Lone Scherfig | 117 minutes | comedy, drama, romance | Actors: Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, Jack Huston, Paul Ritter, Rachael Stirling, Richard E. Grant, Henry Goodman, Jake Lacy, Jeremy Irons, Eddie Marsan, Helen McRory, Hubert Burton, Claudia Jessie, Stephanie Hyam, Michael Marcus, Gordon Brown, Patrick Gibson,

Bill Nighy can be called a late bloomer. The British character actor was already in his forties when he broke through in 1991 thanks to the BBC series ‘The Men’s Room’. In his younger years he aspired to a career as a writer. His dream once was to become a journalist, but he didn’t have the right qualifications for it. For a while he worked as an errand boy for hunting magazine The Field, then he left for Paris, where he wanted to write ‘a great novel’. He got no further than a title. When his money ran out, Nighy returned to Britain, where he joined the Guildford School of Dance and Drama in London. That was in the 1970s; in the eighties he played roles in various British series, but his real breakthrough was not yet forthcoming. In his homeland, Nighy’s popularity grew steadily throughout the 1990s, but it wasn’t until ‘Love Actually’ (2003) fell for its undeniable charms for international audiences. Nighy has a very unique style, like no other gives shape to sarcastic neurotics and shunned megalomaniacs. But if necessary, he can also appear subtle and fragile.

In ‘Their Finest’ (2016) by the Danish director Lone Scherfig (known for ‘An Education’, 2009 among others), Nighy plays a role that he can play with his eyes closed: that of the worn-out star actor on his return, who thinks that he still plays a significant role. However, the star of the film is Gemma Arterton, who plays Catrin Cole, a young woman who applies for a secretarial position at the British Ministry of Information in 1940s London. When her supervisor (Richard E. Grant) discovers that she used to work as a copywriter, he asks her to write “slop” – an old term screenwriters used for small talk between women – for propaganda films that run in between the main films. the cinema were shown. A boring job, Catrin thinks, but since her painting husband (Jack Huston) does not bring in too much money, she perseveres. Her perseverance pays off, because one day she gets to interview two sisters who are said to have performed a heroic deed by sailing soldiers home from Dunkirk. The story turns out to be grossly exaggerated, and the sisters have the appearance of a wet mop, but she decides to present the story – somewhat exaggerated – as the subject of a feature film.

Because the story fits perfectly with the optimistic, authentic and heroic message that the ministry wants to convey, the Dunkirk story is given the green light and Catrin is allowed to participate in the script. She has to work with the embittered Tom Buckley (Sam Claflin), which does not immediately go smoothly. The scenario is no longer authentic, because Buckley and co-screenwriter Parfitt (Paul Ritter) drift further and further away from reality. And then the narcissistic ‘has been’ actor Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Nighy) is cast in the film, although he doesn’t just agree and constantly demands that his role be rewritten. While filming on location, the impossible happens: Catrin and Buckley grow closer.

‘Their Finest’ – after the novel by Lissa Evans – is genuine British cinema: nostalgic with a touch of drama, a pinch of romance and subtle humour. The film has a feminist approach – Catrin strives to be seen as equal by her male colleagues – and the female stamp is also visible in the crew (besides directing, writing, editing, production design and music were also included). done by women), but the feminist message is by no means pushed down the viewer’s throat. It is amazing how screenwriter Gaby Chiappe manages to find the balance between the seriousness of the war and the much more light-hearted atmosphere surrounding the filming. With Gemma Arterton and Sam Claflin, the film has two strong trump cards, but its strength lies in the supporting roles. In addition to the ever-great Nighy, we see Helen McCrory, Eddie Marsan and Jeremy Irons in memorable roles, among others. ‘Their Finest’ is one of those films that, without really excelling in anything, yet manages to nestle in your heart with ease. Nostalgic, yet with a fresh approach. Charming and sympathetic.