Their Finest (2016)

Jack and I loved this story of a woman who joins governmental filmmakers in 1940 London, during the Blitz, who are tasked to entertain, educate, and soothe their troubled audiences. It's hard to categorize, as it jumps from comedy to drama and back again in blinks of the eyes.

Gemma Arterton (last blogged for Unfinished Song) brings just the right combination of budding feminism, creativity, humor, and pathos to the leading lady Catrin (Welsh for Catherine) and spars wonderfully with fellow scriptwriter Buckley, played by Sam Claflin (new to me because I didn't see Snow White and the Huntsman, its sequel, any Hunger Gameses, nor any of his others). The reliable Bill Nighy (most recently in these pages for The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) is hilarious as the vain aging movie star Ambrose.

There are so many supporting roles I have to pick and choose. The talented Jack Huston (last blogged for Kill Your Darlings) is Catrin's frustrated husband Ellis, Richard E. Grant (was in Logan) is the War Ministry producer, Eddie Marsan (after Sherlock Holmes he was in its sequel and War Horse) Ambrose's patient agent Sammy, Helen McCrory (covered in Hugo) Sammy's no-nonsense sister, and Jake Lacy (profiled in Carol) the aw-shucks American. There's also a nice cameo by Jeremy Irons (last in Race).

Gaby Chiappe (writer on several British TV series) adapted Lissa Evans' 2009 novel Their Finest Hour and a Half into the sparkling script directed by Lone Scherfig (a woman), who most recently helmed One Day. Catrin's character is based on an actual Welsh screenwriter of that time.

Composer Rachel Portman's (scored Race) music can be streamed from this link but my favorite song, They Can't Black Out the Moon, a duet sung by two of the movie-within-a-movie actresses, is on this link instead. Portman plays piano on screen for that song and the following one, Will You Go, Lassie, Go, sung by Nighy (I learned yesterday that the Y in his name is silent).

Rotten Tomatoes' critics and audiences are averaging 87 and 81% respectively. Glad to know that this will be playing in our parts for at least another week so you'll have a chance to see it.