Opening Night

Their Finest

Films about how movies get made form a fascinating genre unto themselves. To classics like “Singin’ in the Rain” and “The Bad and the Beautiful” add the delightful comedy “Their Finest”—the story of the British film industry during the war, charged with buoying the spirits of people living in fear of the Blitz. A film crew is depicted chasing upbeat stories like the twin sisters who rescue soldiers after the retreat at Dunkirk. Standout performances from Gemma Arterton as a fledgling scriptwriter hired to bring a woman’s perspective to the big screen, and the dryly amusing Bill Nighy as a past-his-prime, but still pompous actor, who latches onto the young scenarist. The set design and clothes are rich in period detail. Accomplished director Lone Scherfig (“An Education,” “Italian for Beginners”) brings her special light touch to the proceedings, which are sure to leave you smiling.

Bill Nighy will be interviewed following the screening by ACT artistic director Carey Perloff

UK, 2016 (117 minutes)