Despite its name, Funny Woman isn’t all laughs. Though it follows Barbara in her quest to become a comic, it’s also a serious drama that tackles the sexism she faces in a male-dominated field and the prejudice she’s dealt with as a lower-class Northerner. Through secondary characters, we also get to see the show deal with racism and homophobia. These elements make the show feel modern, but they also make it feel less realistic. Many of the characters already share progressive views, which doesn’t just leave little room for growth, but also feels dishonest to the times. The back-and-forth between slapstick and serious can also make for jarring viewing. Thankfully, the show’s problems take a backseat to its wonderful performances. Arterton isn’t always funny (at times, she’s upstaged by her roommate Marj, played by Alexa Davies) but she has a lot of heart and charm, as does the show itself, which ultimately makes it an entertaining and comforting watch.
Synopsis
A young woman from Blackpool finds her voice in the male dominated world of the 1960s comedy, and in doing so takes London by storm.
Storyline
Based on the novel Funny Girl by Nick Hornby, Funny Woman follows Barbara Parker (Gemma Arterton) as she leaves her town to become a comic actress in London.
TLDR
It’s funny, but never laugh-out-loud, rolling-on-the-floor funny.
What stands out
I’m convinced the camera people and editors are having the most fun here. The series experiments with angles and framing, often splitting the screen Brady Bunch style and fitting Barbara into 60s archival footage. It’s a fun and clever touch that adds to the show’s period setting.
