Film discussion: Their Finest

While I haven’t seen it yet, the upcoming discussion of Their Finest at The Music Hall hits a critical triple on my list of things that make me want to go to a movie.

First, this is a movie about the making of an inspirational movie during WWII England. Costumes, accents, stiff upper lips and all that. As anyone who watches public television knows, there’s something irresistible about WWII London: Heroism, Resolve, Leadership, Moral Certainty, in other words, all those things singularly lacking in our own time. If you add in that one source gives the movie’s genre as “Drama, Comedy, Romance, War,” the package is complete. (And I love movies about making movies.)

Second, while Their Finest has an appealing leading lady in Gemma Arterton and a dashing leading man in Sam Claflin, it boasts one cast member whose presence tempts me every time: Bill Nighy. If Bill Nighy is in a movie, you know there will be something worth watching, and this role features his dry authenticity at its best.

Third, this is a movie directed by Lone Scherfig, a Danish director whose breakout movie was the Oscar-nominated An Education. Scherfig cut her directing teeth in the Dogme 95 film movement, but has really distinguished herself in romantic comedies like One Day. Rom-coms are deceptively difficult to get right, and Scherfig appears to have the knack. I love a good romantic comedy, and that has me looking forward to Their Finest with even greater anticipation.

This is the only Show & Tell discussion in July, but I will be making up for that in August with three! First will be The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography, the latest from famed documentarian Errol Morris on August 1. Then we will be talking about The Hero (Sam Elliot) on August 8. And finally, on August 29, we will take a dip in the uncanny end of the pool with A Ghost Story, starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara.

I hope to see you at The Music Hall often in the coming weeks!