Like Father (2018), directed by Lauren Miller Rogan

This Netflix film is in danger of coming across as an extended advertisement for a cruise line. Fortunately the calibre of the cast and a slightly unusual storyline saves it from teetering completely over the edge. Kristen Bell is Rachel, a workaholic ad exec who is jilted at the altar when her fiancé realises she is working on their wedding day. Kelsey Grammar is her long absent father, seeking reconciliation. They wind up taking her honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean, on a ship that resembles a shopping mall. Predictably, they find their way to a relationship, but the route they take to arrive there is somewhat unexpected and is aided by their shipmates, three disparate couples. Seth Rogan adds some comedy in a small role, presumably because he is related to the director. A rom-com that is not one, there are some fascinating musical choices, which match the story well, particularly the closing track.

Their Finest (2017), directed by Lone Scherfig

London in 1940, blitz bombing is wreaking havoc on the city and the Information Ministry is keen to make films that will keep up spirits. With so many men in the forces opportunities open up for women and young secretary Catrin Cole finds herself in a scriptwriting job, although she can’t be paid as much as the chaps of course. She is recruited to add the woman’s touch to a propaganda film that must also aim to persuade the Americans to join the war. It is Gemma Arterton’s film and she is just right as the wide-eyed Catrin. The chemistry is there with Sam Claflin as cynical senior scriptwriter Buckley. A quite serious and moving story is punctuated with lighter moments throughout, largely supplied by Bill Nighy as a rather precious actor. A host of familiar faces feature in very strong supporting roles, particularly Rachael Stirling. It makes some nicely understated points about the role of women and the reality of life on the home front in a city under siege. The score is occasionally overdone, but the songs are lovely and the colour palette exquisitely depicts wartime London in this clever and appealing film within a film.