Maxine Peake fans will want to catch up on her “surprising” British drama with Stephen Graham

Fans of Maxine Peake should check out her “surprising” British drama movie with Stephen Graham.

The comedy titled “Funny Cow” debuted in 2017, tracing the journey of a comic who found fame by performing at men’s clubs during the 70s and 80s. Drawing upon her turbulent history for inspiration, she used her acts to entertain audiences.

In the main spotlight is Peake, who is joined by Graham portraying her character’s father Mike. Alongside them are Paddy Considine known for ‘House of the Dragon’, Diane Morgan from ‘Motherland’, Alun Armstrong of ‘Sherwood’, Lindsey Coulson from ‘The Bay’, and Kevin Eldon, a familiar face from ‘Game of Thrones’.

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In addition to the main cast, the film showcases comedic acts by John Bishop and Vic Reeves, as well as musical contributions from artists like Corinne Bailey Rae, Kevin Rowland, and Richard Hawley. Notably, Richard Hawley was responsible for creating the film’s score and original songs.

The film titled “Funny Cow” is directed by Adrian Shergold, who previously worked on “Cordelia“. The script for this movie was penned by Tony Pitts, who also appears in it and is known for his work on “Emmerdale“.

Luckily for enthusiastic viewers, the movie has been made accessible on platforms like NOW, Sky, and Amazon Prime Video this week. If you’re a Prime Video subscriber, you can even watch it at no additional cost.

The film titled “Funny Cow” garnered significant praise from reviewers, holding a commendable 79% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, following analysis of 42 different reviews.

In the four-star review from The Independent, they described it as a rough, sensitive, and consistently unexpected story where humorous moments coexist with unrelenting despair. Meanwhile, The Australian praised Peake for her portrayal of a hardened yet surprisingly tender character.

As a gamer, I found this movie fascinating, exploring the intersection of hate and humor. The main character? None other than a genuine bovine! This cow had my heart, and I couldn’t help but adore her completely.

In simpler terms, The Observer stated that “Funny Cow” might be challenging for some viewers due to its prickly protagonist. However, Peake’s compelling performance and Hawley’s captivating music make it easier for us to step into the film.

In an interview with The Big Issue back in 2018, Peake explained: “The movie was like scaling a somewhat rough, oily ladder in the realm of male-dominated comedy. I’ve always been intrigued by the concept of being a woman in traditional men’s clubs.

In simpler terms, the star mentioned that comedian Marti Caine, who served as an inspiration for the film due to her life story, resonated deeply with her. Furthermore, it was noted that Pitts’ personal background proved beneficial during the scriptwriting process.

As it transpired, Tony previously managed comedy clubs. Moreover, his mother was somewhat familiar with Marti Caine. Given his extensive knowledge of that sphere, he remarked. Then, within approximately two weeks, he departed to compose the script.

During an interview with The Scotsman, Peake elaborated: “I’ve always found the atmosphere of those men’s clubs from my childhood, which I also frequented as an adult, incredibly intriguing.

How did females navigate that realm? What adjustments and concessions did they have to make along the way?

The star expressed: “As a kid, I adored [Caine] on television. Her allure was captivating, combined with her humor and a touch of tomboyishness that made me even more intrigued.

Instead of creating a traditional biography about Marti Caine, we chose a different approach as her life was marked by challenging periods. Yet, these hardships transformed her into a resilient individual. It requires a unique kind of woman to face such adversity from men, for they were relentlessly harsh.

Funny Cow is available to stream on NOW, Sky and Prime Video.

The latest Digital Spy print edition has arrived! You can purchase the “Oasis – Live in ’25” issue from your local newsstands or online, currently available for only £8.99.

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2025-07-23 13:49