Film: Their Finest

Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy in Their Finest

“It’ll all be all right after a cup of tea….”

The subtle strength of a woman’s touch is central to the story that unfolds in Their Finest, directed by Lone Scherfig and now on general release.

This is a film about making a film, the context being the work of the Ministry of Information’s film division during World War Two. It’s the Blitz, and with Britain taking a pounding, the Ministry realises it has to do more to boost morale. With the men away at war, going to the cinema was predominantly for the women left at home. So how do the ‘men from the ministry’ connect with a female audience? Given the oh-so male-dominated propaganda business, the probable answer would be: ‘Patronisingly, at best’. After all, the female perspective in film-making back then was referred to as ‘slop’, apparently.

No small challenge, therefore, for fresh young Catrin Cole from Wales (a superb performance from Gemma Arterton) who is invited to join the scriptwriting team. “Obviously we can’t pay you as much as the chaps,” explains supervisor Richard E Grant.

Cole wins the chaps over in the end, not through anything strident or confrontational, but through quiet determination, charm and a definitely non-sloppy femininity. It’s a clever study in sexual politics and the story unfolds well - we see the script being developed as professional and personal relationships grow. Sam Claflin provides a romantic angle as a fellow scriptwriter and Bill Nighy is very amusing as a washed-up actor sustained by past glories and determined not to see his career put on the shelf just yet. The way Arterton’s character gradually wins him around to a more realistic self-perception and understanding of the job in hand is a delight.

Their Finest vividly captures the spirit of ‘Going to the Pictures’ in wartime, reflecting the unity, solidarity and camaraderie of cinema audiences in such troubled times. The cinematography, with close attention to period detail, is very impressive. My verdict: moving, funny, charming.

The release of Their Finest coincides with a season at the British Film Institute entitled 'Girls Like Us: British Women and WW2 Cinema'. Running until the end of May, the season is curated by the producer of Their Finest, Stephen Woolley. Some of the gems of British wartime cinema are being screened, demonstrating how female writing and production talent flourished.

Read more about 'Girls Like Us: British Women and WW2 Cinema' here:

https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.aspBOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=girlslikeus&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

See a trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=id0HEelDIuk