Their Finest (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A screenwriter navigates wartime propaganda, personal betrayal, and creative triumph amidst London's Blitz.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Propaganda Pitch

Catrin secures a Ministry job, interviews the Starling twins, and fabricates a Dunkirk story that wins Swain's approval. She is promoted to the production company, setting the creative engine in motion.

Key Events

• Ministry Hiring — Catrin is hired to write propaganda scripts despite wage discrimination. Characters: Catrin Cole, Roger Swain Location: London Ministry Office
• Twin Interview — Catrin learns the twins never reached Dunkirk but fabricates a story. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: London Apartment
• Script Greenlit — Swain approves the fabricated story and promotes Catrin to production. Characters: Catrin Cole, Roger Swain Location: Ministry Office

Clashes and Compromises

Writer room tensions escalate as Catrin and Buckley debate factual accuracy versus wartime messaging. Air raids shake London, but Buckley covers Catrin's lie, allowing filming to move to Devon.

Key Events

• Writer Disputes — Frequent clashes erupt over factual accuracy versus artistic license. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: London Writer's Room
• Ambrose Cast — Fading actor Hilliard is hired after his agent dies in an air raid. Characters: Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank, Roger Swain Location: London Studio
• Bombing & Vomit — Catrin survives a blast and witnesses a dead body, shaking her resolve. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: London Streets
• Lie Covered Up — Buckley shields Catrin by claiming the twins lied, saving the project. Characters: Tom Buckley, Roger Swain Location: Ministry Office

Shattered Illusions

Devon filming faces casting failures and personal revelations. Catrin confesses her unmarried status, discovers Ellis's affair, and rejects Buckley's proposal, fracturing her personal and professional stability.

Key Events

• Lie Covered Up — Buckley shields Catrin by claiming the twins lied, saving the project. Characters: Tom Buckley, Roger Swain Location: Ministry Office
• Devon Filming — Production moves to Devon, shifting the creative environment. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley, Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank Location: Devon Coast
• Pilot Sabotage — The American pilot actor performs poorly, threatening the shoot. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley, Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank Location: Devon Set
• Buckley's Past — Buckley shares how WWI broke his father's spirit, revealing his philosophy. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: Devon Set
• Unmarried Confession — Catrin admits she and Ellis are not actually married, only pretending. Characters: Catrin Cole, Phyl Moore Location: Devon Hotel
• Betrayal Discovery — Catrin walks in on Ellis with another woman and storms out. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: London Apartment
• Moonlit Proposal — Buckley denounces Ellis and proposes to Catrin, who refuses. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: Devon Beach

Tragedy and Triumph

A bombing destroys Catrin's home and a studio accident kills Buckley. Grieving but resolute, Catrin fixes the final plot hole, sees the film's success, and returns to writing with renewed purpose.

Key Events

• Moonlit Proposal — Buckley denounces Ellis and proposes to Catrin, who refuses. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: Devon Beach
• Night Writing — Catrin writes the entire ending alone to fix the film's narrative. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: London Apartment
• Home Destruction — Catrin returns to find her home completely destroyed by a bomb. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: London Street
• Rig Collapse — A lighting rig falls on Buckley, crushing him to death instantly. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: Studio Lot
• Plot Hole Fix — Catrin resolves the final plot hole by giving the twin a heroic role. Characters: Catrin Cole, Tom Buckley Location: Studio Office
• Premiere Success — The film becomes a hit, moving audiences and critics alike. Characters: Catrin Cole, Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank Location: London Cinema
• Twins' Escape — The real twins reveal the film inspired them to flee their abusive father. Characters: Catrin Cole, Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank Location: London Office
• Final Breakdown — Catrin breaks down crying, unable to write any more scripts. Characters: Catrin Cole, Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank Location: Writer's Office
• Cinema Return — Catrin watches the film, moved by the audience's reaction and her own work. Characters: Catrin Cole, Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank Location: London Theater
• New Assignment — Catrin returns to her desk to work on the next wartime picture. Characters: Catrin Cole, Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank Location: Ministry Office

Story Breakdown

• Propaganda Production — The Ministry hires Catrin to craft realistic dialogue for wartime films, establishing the central creative mission.
  • Ministry Hiring — Catrin secures a low-paid position despite gender bias.
  • Twin Interview — Catrin learns the twins fabricated their Dunkirk story.
  • Script Approval — Swain greenlights the fabricated narrative and promotes Catrin.
• Creative Conflicts — Writers clash over historical accuracy versus the emotional needs of propaganda.
  • Writer Disputes — Catrin and Buckley argue over script direction and character focus.
  • Factual vs Fiction — Debate centers on whether truth or morale matters more.
  • Female Representation — Catrin fights to keep female characters central to the plot.
• Personal Turmoil — Catrin's private life unravels as she confronts her marriage facade and Ellis's infidelity.
  • Unmarried Secret — Catrin confesses her relationship with Ellis is a pretense.
  • Betrayal Discovery — Catrin catches Ellis with another woman and leaves him.
  • Moonlit Proposal — Buckley proposes, but Catrin refuses due to her emotional state.
• Devon Filming — Production moves to the coast, facing casting failures and set challenges.
  • Pilot Sabotage — The American actor's poor performance threatens the shoot.
  • Buckley's Past — Buckley shares his father's WWI trauma, revealing his worldview.
  • Set Reconciliation — Catrin and Buckley mend their professional relationship on set.
• Blitz Catastrophe — Air raids destroy Catrin's home and a studio accident claims Buckley's life.
  • Home Destruction — A bomb levels Catrin's London apartment overnight.
  • Rig Collapse — A lighting fixture falls on Buckley, killing him instantly.
  • Buckley's Death — Catrin processes the sudden loss while finishing the script.
• Final Resolution — Catrin completes the film, witnesses its impact, and reclaims her creative voice.
  • Plot Hole Fix — Catrin gives the fictional twin a heroic moment to close the story.
  • Premiere Success — The film resonates deeply with audiences and critics alike.
  • Return to Writing — Inspired by the film's legacy, Catrin returns to her desk.

Directed by

Lone Scherfig

Key Cast

• Gemma Arterton — Catrin Cole
• Sam Claflin — Tom Buckley
• Bill Nighy — Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank
• Jack Huston — Ellis Cole
• Helen McCrory — Sophie Smith