Rent Their Finest (2016)
3.4 of 5 from 897 ratings
1h 52min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- 1940, London, the Blitz. With the country's morale at stake, inexperienced screenwriter, Catrin (Gemma Arterton) and a makeshift cast and crew, work under fire to make a film to lift the country's flagging spirits and inspire America to join the war. Alongside fellow screenwriter, Buckley (Sam Clafiin) and a gloriously egotistical actor, Ambrose (Bill Nighy) they set off to make a film that will warm the hearts of the nation.
- 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 McCrory, Hubert Burton, Claudia Jessie, Stephanie Hyam, Michael Marcus, Gordon Brown, Patrick Gibson, Julia Lewis, Lily Knight
- Directors:
- Lone Scherfig
- Producers:
- Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey, Stephen Woolley
- Voiced By:
- Amanda Pepper
- Writers:
- Gaby Chiappe, Lissa Evans
- Aka:
- Their Finest Hour
- Studio:
- Lionsgate Films
- Genres:
- Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch if You Like: Operation Mincemeat, 2017, A History of Films about Film: Part 2, A History of Cinemas in Films, British WWII Films: The Home Front and Europe, CinemaParadiso.co.uk Through Time, Drama Films & TV, Films to Watch If You Like..., A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Frank Capra, Top 10 British War Films (1939-45), Top Films, WWII Films: Beaches, Oceans and Camps
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 21/08/2017
- Run Time:
- 117 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.39:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Audio Commentary with Director Lone Scherfig
- Flickers of Hope: The Making of 'Their Finest'
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Reviews (24) of Their Finest
Feels traditional, but with modern subtext - Their Finest review by Champ
I didn't think I would be prey to a traditional yarn like this, but I loved it. It felt like one of the Sunday afternoon films of my youth, but scratch the surface and it's not that old-fashioned at all. The story gave a real sense of women starting to take advantage of the new opportunities that the war enabled for them, and how high the mountain was that they had to climb to gain equality.
The performances were all great, with Bill Nighy stealing the show, and Gemma Arterton giving a pitch perfect performance of a young woman in the 40s. I loved the romance, but (retrospectively) admire the decision the film-makers made to make the main story much bigger that the romantic sub-plot.
10 out of 10 members found this review helpful.
So-so British Film about a Female Screenwriter during WWII - Their Finest review by PV
This film is based on a novel (called THEIR FINEST HOUR AND A HALF) - which is by a female author giving the issue of WWII and Dunkirk a very female slant.
And so it is here, as we follow unlikely screenwriter who's writing an even more unlikely female-led movie (two twin sisters to star indeed!), to try and get the USA into the war.
Well, the first half of the film is fine - obviously low budget, and the sort of film that relies on state funding (wait till the end to see the BBC and EU subsidy flags).
The second half drags terribly with silly, unnecessary a d unbelievable plot twists. These may be the original novel's fault BUT an adaptation of a novel does NOT have to be faithful. You can cut out what you want when adapting it for film.
My favourite bits were the hammy wooden film acting scenes which reminded me of the much classier movie ED WOOD.
I also liked location spotting - it's filmed largely in Swansea's Guidhall.
3 stars. JUST. It'd have been 2 stars without Bill Nighy!
3 out of 3 members found this review helpful.
Charming if slight - Their Finest review by JH
Wartime-set drama (during the Blitz), that's part cap-tip to working women, part acclamation to the power of cinema.
Arterton as the lead, Catrin, is hired early on as the sole woman on a small script writing team for the Ministry of Information, looking to the inspire the many at home and Americans abroad into joining the war in one swoop.
Arterton is solid enough in her portrayal, and the script nuanced enough to push the stories & plight of women in general with tact -- no grandstanding here -- and she's an entertaining, bright foil to Sam Claflin's lead-writer Buckley.
The romantic sub-plots here are a little to predictable, as is the denouement, thought Catrin is interesting enough for these to be passed off as forgivable.
The film clearly takes some delight in it's portrayal of old-timey film-making, and the actors working on them (Bill Nighy a deft-hand here as usual).
Entertaining, charming stuff here with a nice trim running time and engaging performances. Nothing especially stellar.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.