Before describing the film it is worth remarking this effort deserves ten and a half out of ten; unfortunately, Imdb's rating system is too mean to allow such uniqueness, so we'll have to settle for a miserly 10 out of 10.
The casting is simply perfection, as is the direction (Lone Scherfig), and the period setting, capturing every nuance of how Britain once was; a way of life long since replaced by the era of Thatcherism and its disciples. That British-ness does still exist today in upper crust society and in educated rural circles but for the mainstay of Britain's public those are days gone by, superseded by present consumerist values and the uncomplicated, uneducated Brexit-loving class.
While a throwback to wartime Britain the story is nuanced throughout with humour, sensitivity, a multitude of surprises, and is unquestionably creatively satisfying. All the cast, especially Bill Nighy, probably the UK's finest male actor, the impressive Sam Clafin (as Tom Buckley), the bewitching Gemma Arteton (as scriptwriter Catrin Cole), both sets of twins, Henry Goodman (as Gabriel Baker), Paul Ritter (as the unassuming Parfitt, who utters the wonderful line "God! The American's teeth, can they be real?"), Jeremy Irons (Government Secretary of War), and Richard E.Grant (Roger Swain) are developed beautifully as characters. Comic sequences are also gently woven into scenes, even the odd Mr Bean type moment requiring Catrin Cole to slide into a space too small to access her desk. There are witty one-liners aplenty, and much poignancy. Even a 'token' American is essential, one of the clever twists... because this is a story that starts off with a film studio deciding to make a movie about 'real life' twin sisters who daringly set out to rescue soldiers stranded in France during the Dunkirk evacuation. However, by degrees the studio's intended British morale booster (during the darkest days of the blitz) becomes integral to the British wartime effort, and crucially, the ensuing decision by the Government to appeal more importantly to American movie-goers to win their hearts and minds. To achieve that end, the story is stolen by the Government propaganda machine, and the 'token' American, a highly successful decorated air force pilot Capt Lundberg / Brannigan (played by Jack Lacy) is reluctantly conscripted to participate. The problem for the studio, is this handsome dashing hero, is unable to act. The American Government knows but insists on his participation regardless. The film crew, are no longer just making forgettable low budget entertainment for the British audience alone, it must become a blockbuster to thrill 90 million move-goers across The Atlantic Ocean. And in colour no less. Superb!
No celluloid masterpiece could ever be complete without piquancy and dollops of tragedy. 'Their Finest' offers that in abundance. Twists and unexpected turns keep the well-paced story alive. Even a love sub-plot or two for good measure. By the end of the film only the most emotionally unintelligent, or the long-since dead, will be left unmoved. If you haven't seen this film, yet, do please. Two hours well spent.
The casting is simply perfection, as is the direction (Lone Scherfig), and the period setting, capturing every nuance of how Britain once was; a way of life long since replaced by the era of Thatcherism and its disciples. That British-ness does still exist today in upper crust society and in educated rural circles but for the mainstay of Britain's public those are days gone by, superseded by present consumerist values and the uncomplicated, uneducated Brexit-loving class.
While a throwback to wartime Britain the story is nuanced throughout with humour, sensitivity, a multitude of surprises, and is unquestionably creatively satisfying. All the cast, especially Bill Nighy, probably the UK's finest male actor, the impressive Sam Clafin (as Tom Buckley), the bewitching Gemma Arteton (as scriptwriter Catrin Cole), both sets of twins, Henry Goodman (as Gabriel Baker), Paul Ritter (as the unassuming Parfitt, who utters the wonderful line "God! The American's teeth, can they be real?"), Jeremy Irons (Government Secretary of War), and Richard E.Grant (Roger Swain) are developed beautifully as characters. Comic sequences are also gently woven into scenes, even the odd Mr Bean type moment requiring Catrin Cole to slide into a space too small to access her desk. There are witty one-liners aplenty, and much poignancy. Even a 'token' American is essential, one of the clever twists... because this is a story that starts off with a film studio deciding to make a movie about 'real life' twin sisters who daringly set out to rescue soldiers stranded in France during the Dunkirk evacuation. However, by degrees the studio's intended British morale booster (during the darkest days of the blitz) becomes integral to the British wartime effort, and crucially, the ensuing decision by the Government to appeal more importantly to American movie-goers to win their hearts and minds. To achieve that end, the story is stolen by the Government propaganda machine, and the 'token' American, a highly successful decorated air force pilot Capt Lundberg / Brannigan (played by Jack Lacy) is reluctantly conscripted to participate. The problem for the studio, is this handsome dashing hero, is unable to act. The American Government knows but insists on his participation regardless. The film crew, are no longer just making forgettable low budget entertainment for the British audience alone, it must become a blockbuster to thrill 90 million move-goers across The Atlantic Ocean. And in colour no less. Superb!
No celluloid masterpiece could ever be complete without piquancy and dollops of tragedy. 'Their Finest' offers that in abundance. Twists and unexpected turns keep the well-paced story alive. Even a love sub-plot or two for good measure. By the end of the film only the most emotionally unintelligent, or the long-since dead, will be left unmoved. If you haven't seen this film, yet, do please. Two hours well spent.
