She’s dealt with criminal gangs, American Presidents, a cancer diagnosis, and 30 years on the comedy circuit. Now Janey Godley confronts the path she’s forged in her new documentary, Janey.
Following Janey’s Not Dead Yet tour, the film takes the audience on a journey through the most impactful moments of the comic’s life. It’s a defiant face-off against a cancer diagnosis that would have many hunkering down.
We learn about her abuse at the hands of an uncle, her mother’s tragic death, run-ins with criminal gangs, and cancel culture. But we are given no answers. It feels like the film is a memorial of the things that Janey doesn’t want people to forget. The things she has achieved, the people she loves, and the wrongs that she has overcome.
But it wouldn’t be Godley if she didn’t find the funny side. The Glasgow native never lets the audience forget the d**k joke that can be applied to any and every situation. No matter how dire it may first appear.
It can become disorientating how quickly we move from topic to topic. But then again, why would that be surprising for anyone familiar with Godley’s stand-up? It’s quick, cutting, and emotional without minimising Godley’s big personality, on and off the stage.
World premiere
Janey had its world premiere at Glasgow Film Festival last week, closing the festivities with a bang. The woman herself had friends, family, and fans lining the red carpet alongside her. It perfectly reflected who this show is for – the people who know her, love her, and have laughed with her all these years.
People unfamiliar with Godley’s work may indeed struggle in the beginning. Janey doesn’t do much in the way of building a narrative, instead jumping from scene to scene, moving through Godley’s life like a pendulum. That’s a difficult path to follow if you’re not caught up on your lore.
But frankly, it’s not for you. Fans of Godley will enjoy this unflinching memoir of a woman hated by many, but loved by many more.
Godley is set to tour Scotland with special screenings of the film accompanied by a new live stand-up set based around outtakes of the film with tickets on sale now.
Janey is out in UK cinemas on 15 March.
Featured image credit: Spirit Tait
Film and Tv Editor at Brig Newspaper. Currently studying Journalism and English at the University of Stirling
