As the first episode of Funny Woman begins, Barbara Parker (Gemma Arterton) goes to the Miss Blackpool Belle contest in 1964. Barbara’s father George (David Threlfall) records as the winners are announced. He tells Aiden (Kyle Pryor) to hold his nerve. Barbara is named the Belle of Blackpool. A journalist begins interviewing George so Aunty Marie (Rosie Cavaliero) rushes over to get involved. Aiden is introduced as Barbara’s fiancé although the journalist doesn’t want to mention that and break hearts.

He tells Barbara to stick her chest out so they can go for the money shot. Barbara gives away her flowers and crown before walking away. On a train, she writes a letter to her father telling him how difficult it was to say goodbye, but it was time to go. She wants Aiden to know he has full permission to hate her. Barbara has a feeling in her gut that life has more in store for her. She begins working in a clothing store and is too blunt for the customers. Miss Sykes (Doon Mackichan) comes over to see if there is a problem. She learns that Barbara told the customer the hat made her head look a little like road kill.

Miss Sykes apologizes and explains that Barbara is from up north. Later, Miss Sykes reprimands Barbara and instructs her to tell them that any hat looks perfect. Barbara apologizes and mocks her behind her back. During lunch, she is introduced to Marjorie (Alexa Davies) who works in the shoes department. Marjorie doesn’t know the girls personally, but he can tell which department they work in. She tells Barbara about each department and the girls that work there. Marjorie says men come in to buy perfume for their ladies and ask the girls to try it on themselves.

Later, Barbara tells her she is staying at a bed and breakfast for the time being. Marjorie invites her to move in with her since she is looking for a flatmate. Barbara moves in with her later. Once she gets moved in, Barbara writes to her father saying she is living in a swanky flat in London. She suggests she could be the biggest thing to come out of Blackpool since Sabrina. While doing her laundry, Barbara watches Lucille Ball on television. When she gets back, she tells Marjorie they should get a television. Marjorie doesn’t want to watch Lucy because she gets her wound up.

They discuss Barbara’s wish to be an actress on television before the lights go out. At home, Marie worries that Barbara will disappear like her mother although George isn’t too concerned. George says just because they didn’t get any choices doesn’t mean she shouldn’t. During lunch one day, Barbara asks Marjorie how she gets from this to where she wants to be. Marjorie suggests getting moved to the perfume counter because they see rich men there. Barbara manages to get transferred there temporarily while Millie goes to the clinic. She tries on perfume for Valentine Laws (Robert Portal).

Back at the flat, she tells Marjorie that Valentine is taking her out. Marjorie wants to help her get a dress so he takes one from the Lewis Peters store where they work. When she meets Valentine, he tells her she looks ravishing. He confirms that he has plans for them after the show. Sidney (William Hayes) shows up with his wife Audrey (Laura Howard). Valentine claims that Barbara is the secretary in his office. When they sit down together, Audrey tells Barbara that Valentine is married and has two children. She doesn’t think Barbara’s sort cares much about that. When Barbara asks what sort that is, Audrey says the good time girl.

She also thinks she is out to get what she can from unsuspecting men. Once Valentine returns, Barbara asks about his wife and says she might’ve caught what she has. Barbara talks to the receptionist Sheila (Django Chan-Reeves) when she picks up her coat. Then, she runs into Brian Debenham who mistakes her for Sabrina. She is already upset so she gives him a piece of her mind. His wife, Patsy (Morwenna Banks) comes in moments later. Barbara says she doesn’t like men trying to pick her up when their wives are around. Patsy and Brian say they’re not trying to pick her up for sex. Brian has something else in mind.

Once Barbara goes into the changing room, Valentine barges in with the intention of having sex with her. Sheila helps her escape. Barbara runs into Brian and Patsy on the street and gets his business card. He asks her to come see him in the office sometime. Patsy gives her money to get a taxi. At the flat, Barbara tells Marjorie that Valentine was not a gentleman. Marjorie thought she would’ve known that the perfume fellas just want it on a plate. She goes on to say Barbara doesn’t look like a virgin so she should expect men to have a crack. Barbara thinks it is different when a man believes it is his for the taking.

Barbara asks if she can take the dress back because she isn’t going to work today. Later, they argue about it being cold and Barbara only having money for calls with her dad. Aiden drops by George’s house later. Barbara calls and speaks to Aiden briefly. He encourages her to come back home. George tries to give her advice before the call ends abruptly. Barbara goes to Brian’s office and tells him that she came to London to be someone. She does a quick impression of Lucille Ball. Brian believes Barbara has star quality while Lucille was forced to make faces to pay the rent. Barbara learns that Brian has been an agent for many famous people.

Brian tries to find out about her experience. Barbara mentions that she was Blackpool Belle. Brian thinks he can use that but warns her she shouldn’t do anything rash like quit her job just yet. He suggests giving her the name Sophie Straw. She agrees to use the name if it helps her get a job. Brian wants Patsy to go out with her to get a bikini, but Barbara doesn’t want to do that. Once Brian finds out that she wants to act, he says they can send her out on some auditions. Later that night, Marjorie says they told her to give her a letter and tell her not to come back. Although they found out about the dress, Marjorie didn’t get in any trouble.

Barbara tells her about her new agent. She has several auditions, but none of them go well. Barbara goes back to Brian to complain about not having any luck. He thinks they’ve run out of options on the speaking front. Brian asks her to go to the Whiskey Cat Club and try to get a part there. Barbara would rather be cleaning toilets. Brian learns that something is wrong with the casting of Dining In. Barbara says she’d love to do a comedy playhouse. Brian gets upset and tells her why she shouldn’t be perfect for the casting. Barbara looks at the paper and finds out where the auditions are taking place.

She goes there and talks to Dennis (Arsher Ali) about auditioning for the role. Dennis talks to Clive (Tom Bateman), Bill (Matthew Beard), and the others about letting her audition. Once she enters the room, Barbara makes it clear that she knows them and their work. Tony (Leo Bill) admits nobody usually knows the writers’ names until they’ve read their obituaries. Barbara surprises them with her audition before Beryl (Emma Davies) enters the room. Beryl says there is no Sophie on their list and they would never cast someone like her. Barbara throws the script away on her way out.

She goes to the Whiskey Cat Club and soon begins performing there.

 

Funny Woman Review

Funny Woman is based on the 2014 novel Funny Girl by Nick Hornby. The series follows Barbara Parkers who is named Blackpool Belle of 1964 before she leaves home in hopes of becoming a star in London. The opening episode saw Barbara encounter numerous hurdles without finding any success. The story has the potential to get very interesting and even humorous as Sophie Straw comes into her own.

The performances are very good. In particular, Gemma Arterton, Alexa Davies, and Rupert Everett were great in their respective roles. Aspects of the story have been altered with some things being more effective than others. Some of the changes may force viewers to bend reality because they feel like they’ve been made to stress a point. Others don’t really mesh with the time period.

Nevertheless, the story was fairly entertaining and will likely get even better as Barbara begins to find more success. The opening episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Funny Woman will be available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent entertainment website at this link. Learn more about advertising opportunities on Reel Mockery here.