Funny Woman

Your favourite, almost real, very British 1960s TV star

The Sky Original miniseries “Funny Woman” (6 episodes) is based on the novel “Funny Girl” by Nick Hornby.

© Sky Original

Here, if you like, you can read my review of the novel.
I can say that it’s without a doubt my favourite novel by Hornby or, more precisely, the one I enjoyed from start to finish. In general, I really like Hornby’s books, but I tend to find the endings disappointing.

However, there is a fundamental difference between the book and the miniseries: the former seems like a true story, while the latter is clearly fiction.
The strength of the novel was precisely the decision to write it as if it were a fictionalised account of the story of Barbara Parker/Sophie Straw, complete with photos scattered throughout the text. So, when tackling the series (of which Hornby is one of the producers), they had to necessarily emphasise other aspects. They tried to bring the same sense of authenticity into it, using clips from time to time that looked like archive footage, but it was clear from the start that this was a made-up story.

In my opinion, the miniseries has two strong points.
One is the way in which the story has been broken down into six episodes, always choosing the perfect point to insert the interruption, the one that makes you want to continue with the next episode, but at the same time you are satisfied enough to stop if you can’t stay in front of the TV.
The second is undoubtedly the skill of the interpreters. A very blonde (peroxide blonde) Gemma Arterton is perfect in the role of Barbara/Sophie. She is exactly how I imagined her, and she proved to be excellent in her interpretation of the former Blackpool beauty queen who arrives in London in 1964 to seek her fortune. Inexperienced at first and considered unintelligent because of her appearance, she soon finds a way to assert herself with a little luck and cunning.

But the other actors were also perfectly suited to the role and spirit of the miniseries.
Special mention goes to Rupert Everett as Sophie Straw’s Agent (and the inventor of her name), who, despite being made even uglier and older by the make-up, remains a great actor.

I watched it in English, so I don’t know how they managed to adapt it, but at least in the original version the dialogue is sparkling, with lots of hilarious double entendres, but at the same time very British.

In short, if you want to enjoy something light-hearted and that will leave you in a good mood, watch “Funny Woman”!

 

A second season of this series was also produced, consisting of only four episodes, which I suppose continues the story of the protagonist beyond what is narrated in the book, but it has not yet been broadcast in Italy, so I have yet to watch it.