Wednesday, C4, 1:40am
Some films celebrate comedy as a glamorous, crowd-pleasing art. Funny Cow (2017) does the opposite. This is the unvarnished, often brutal tale of a female comedian clawing her way through the smoke-filled, men-only working men’s clubs of 1970s Northern England. Maxine Peake is outstanding in the titular role, delivering a performance that is equal parts ferocious and tragic. The film isn’t interested in feel-good triumph; instead, it revels in the harsh realities of show business, where laughter is as much a weapon as it is an escape.
The soundtrack is as evocative as the film itself, soaked in melancholy and grit. Richard Hawley, the Sheffield-born crooner of sorrow-drenched ballads, provides much of the music, and his hauntingly rich voice is the perfect accompaniment to Funny Cow’s troubled journey. His original compositions, including Funny Cow Theme and I Still Want You, evoke a sense of nostalgia and loss, but with a warmth that prevents the film from tipping into complete despair. Alongside Hawley’s work, the film features period-appropriate tracks that further immerse the viewer in the rough-and-tumble world of Northern clubland.
For soundtrack collectors, this one is a hidden gem. Hawley’s contributions weren’t just an afterthought—they’re woven into the very fabric of the film, elevating its emotional core. Though Funny Cow may not have set awards season on fire, it’s a film (and a soundtrack) that lingers, much like the echoes of laughter in an empty club long after the audience has gone home. And if you’ve ever wondered what it truly takes to make people laugh in a world determined to knock you down, this film has your answer—grit, resilience, and just the right backing track.
- Paul Allen