BT-01. Their Finest

USA, 116, Feature, Narrative, English

This rousing romantic comedy from director Lone Scherfig (An Education) takes us back to 1940 Britain when the British Ministry turned to movies to hoist the sagging morale of the country. This witty film shows what happens when an industry of men suddenly find themselves catering to an audience of mostly women whose men are off to war. The industry adds romantic subplots to their war movies, and they hire a talented copywriter named Catrin Cole (Gemma Arterton) to write authentic female dialogue. Although her husband looks down on her job, Catrin’s natural flair quickly gets her noticed by charming lead scriptwriter Buckley (Sam Claflin). Catrin comes to earn the respect of her peers, and she’s the only crewperson that a past-his-prime pompous actor, Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Nighy), will talk to. As bombs are dropping all around them, Catrin, Buckley, and the colorful cast and crew of the movie Dunkirk! work furiously to make a film that will lift the hearts of England.