THEIR FINEST, based on Lissa Evans’ novel, ‘Their Finest Hour and a Half’, is a witty, romantic and moving portrayal of a young woman finding her way, and her voice, in the mayhem of war… and the movies. It stars Gemma Arterton as Catrin, an untried screenwriter who writes a film to lift the nation’s flagging spirits and inspire America to join the war during the Blitz. To celebrate such a strong and exciting character, we’ve collected five of our favourite women in film, whether they are inspirational, badass or both.
Gemma Arterton in Their Finest
Ellen Ripley - Alien (1979)
Ripley was a man in the original script for Ridley Scott’s Alien but the producers decided that audiences at the time wouldn’t expect the lone survivor to be a woman and the film would thus be more unpredictable. Boy did that decision pay off, leading to one of the most brilliant, beloved and enduring female characters ever put to screen. Brought to life and cemented in cinema history by the always exceptional Sigourney Weaver, the success of Alien not only created a multi-media spanning franchise but one of the best action heroes of all time.
Erin Brockovich - Erin Brockovich (2000)
Starring Julia Roberts, this film follows a single mother who almost single handedly takes down a California power company that had been accused of polluting the city’s water supply. Directed by the eclectic and brilliant Steven Soderbergh, Erin Brockovich is testament to the fact that women can achieve anything, even when working within the parameters of a completely male dominated field. Roberts deservedly won an Academy Award for her compelling performance and here’s hoping she gets another role like this soon that she can sink her teeth into.
Karen Blixen - Out of Africa (1985)
Starring arguably the strongest and most inspirational actress of all time in the form of Meryl Streep, Out of Africa follows Karen as she moves to Kenya and forms a love affair with a big-game hunter. Whilst initially more of a simple love story, as someone who faces any obstacle head on and tries to save the lives of the many African American workers on her extensive lands, Karen is the epitome of strength and courageousness. This is truly not a film to be missed or underestimated.
Clarice Starling - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Clarice Starling is a bold and unique female character for so many reasons. She is exceptional at her job, unashamedly ambitious and capable of beating Hannibal Lector where countless others failed. Most importantly though, she is not simply a two dimensional or archetypal ‘strong female’ but a full rounded character; she is capable of fear and vulnerability but ultimately overcomes this and comes out on top. Beyond that, Jodie Foster puts forward her most iconic performance and once again rightly won an Academy Award for her effort.
Catrin Cole - Their Finest (2017)
Partnered with fellow writer, Buckley (Sam Claflin), along with fading matinee idol Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Nighy), Arterton is able to overcome many hurdles thrown at her and capture the hearts and imagination of the US public in the charming and rousing Their Finest. Catrin Cole is truly the definition of a bold and exciting female character, joining a canon of actresses and characters that have made cinema feel fresh and innovative for countless decades now.
Their Finest is released in UK cinemas on April 21st
Tagged in Gemma Arterton