Emily
Get ready to laugh and cry while watching director Jon S. Baird’s tribute to one of the all-time great comic duos in “Stan & Ollie”. Although the creative marriage of Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly) was one of extreme triumphs and heartbreaks, this original odd couple managed to stick together throughout the rollercoaster ride that is Hollywood. This biopic, while often times a little too light hearted for its own good, is an honest portrayal of what it means to follow your own dreams even if you feel trapped in a partnership with someone who isn’t exactly your perfect match off screen.
Laurel and Hardy, once America’s brightest comedy stars, find themselves out of work and in desperate need of a resurgence. With a potential movie deal on the table, Stan and Ollie decide that the best way to get their names back out into the mainstream is to tour the British Isles while the final bit of financing for their film rolls in.
Unfortunately, the pair soon realizes that rekindling their past glories won’t be as easy as they first thought because in showbiz your star can fade all too quickly and before you know it, everyone is surprised to find out that you’re still around. The comedians quickly come to understand that if they have any hope of saving their careers, they must overcome past betrayals and current health struggles before it’s too late.
A film such as this relies heavily on its stars and luckily the casting here is flawless. Steve Coogan steals the show with his portrayal of Stanley Laurel. From his voice, to his walk, to his highly expressive face there are many moments were you lose yourself in the film and find yourself believing that you are truly watching the man himself. The chemistry between Coogan and Reilly is also mesmerizing. They play off of each other perfectly and you can tell that a lot of research went into these portrayals. From their reenactments of Laurel and Hardy’s most famous scenes to the homages hidden throughout the film, there is enough similarity and justice done to these icons by the filmmakers that even the most avid fan will be pleased with the outcome.
While the film does a fairly decent job of condensing the story into 97 minutes, one flaw that must be noted is the quick jump from their early stardom to sixteen years later when the pair has seemingly retired. This causes the viewer to feel as though they are missing some valuable knowledge about the duo’s struggles that would’ve made the drama later on hit harder. The film promises a strong character arc that unfortunately falls flat. Unlike other comedians of their time who let their egos get the better of them, such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, this duo’s story was generally one of more stability and therefore less drama than the others. Their ending is a sweet and heartwarming look at true friendship and collaboration, but isn’t all that powerful and doesn’t shed much light on any major life lessons.
“Stan & Ollie” is a beautiful portrayal of one of Hollywood’s greatest power couples. Fans will be delighted by the representation of the men that made them laugh and hopefully the film will even inspire a new generation of fans to discover the genius of this comedic powerhouse. For those who are looking for something with a lot of depth to the story, this flick might not be for you. But there is an undeniable charm and some good wholesome fun which will help to brighten up your winter blues.
