FUNNY COW (15)
★★★★★
GRITTY drama set in 1970s and 1980s working men’s clubs in the north of England. As a child, the nameless heroine (Macy Shackleton) suffers at the hands of her abusive father (Stephen Graham). Then, as a young woman (now played by Maxine Peake), she falls in love with Bob (Tony Pitts), who uses his fists when she dares to speak out of turn. During a visit to a working men’s club, the abused spouse witnesses a poorly received set from a veteran comedian and is excited by the prospect of taking to the stage herself. Adopting the stage name Funny Cow, the battered wife taps into her troubled past to turn her tears into laughter.
■ Download/stream from August 13 and available on DVD from August 27.