Felicity Kendal can make a character warm without making her endlessly agreeable. In The Good Life, her Barbara has the comic weight to challenge Tom, even when the writing is too willing to forgive him.
Fi1m perspective
In The Good Life (1975), Barbara Good's response is worth as much attention as the enthusiasm that prompts it. Felicity Kendal gives her a comic weight of her own, so Richard Briers's Tom does not get to supply all the interest. We warmed to their marriage because both actors let the couple be irritated with each other without making their affection doubtful. They do not need to look happy all the time to persuade us that they belong together.
The reservation is about how readily the writing forgives Tom. Briers puts enough obstinacy into him to make us question his charm, but the script does not always pursue the question. Kendal's contribution matters here: Barbara's responses remain important even when the writing seems inclined to give him an easier time. We want more resistance to Tom, not less warmth between them. The series is funny and affectionate enough to recommend warmly, with that irritation left intact.
That light-comedy assurance is a useful way into the screen work, but Barbara should not obscure everything around her. Kendal had an early leading role as Lizzie Buckingham in Shakespeare-Wallah (1965), before The Good Life became her television breakthrough. Carla Lane's Solo (1981–82) and The Mistress (1985, 1987) continued her association with independent women. The vehicles were not uniformly successful: Honey for Tea (1994) received poor reviews. A familiar performer still needs the right writing.
From the 1980s, she worked chiefly on stage, creating Annie in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing (1982) and Hannah Jarvis in his Arcadia (1993). Her stage work also included productions directed by Peter Hall. Those collaborations deserve attention beyond a passing acknowledgement that she did other things besides television comedy. We would be wary of treating Barbara's suburban charm as the full extent of Kendal's abilities. Start with The Good Life for Kendal and Briers together, and be prepared to forgive Tom less readily than the script does.
Biography
Felicity Kendal is an English actress working principally in television and theatre. Born Felicity Ann Kendal on 25 September 1946 in Olton, West Midlands, she spent part of her childhood in India, where her parents ran a touring repertory company. She appeared in the Merchant Ivory film Shakespeare Wallah (1965), which drew on her family's experiences.
Kendal's breakthrough came with the role of Barbara Good in the BBC sitcom The Good Life (1975–1978). She has maintained a long career on stage and screen, with other television credits including Solo (1981–1982) and Rosemary & Thyme (2003–2006). She received the CBE in 1995 for services to drama.
