Stan & Ollie
Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly play comedy duo Laurel and Hardy in this biopic that covers the duo's 1953 British variety hall tour. Written by Oscar nominee Jeff Pope (Philomena).
"In 1953, several years after their last film and with their immense celebrity on the wane, Stan ‘Laurel’ and Ollie ‘Hardy’ embark on a gig tour of British seaside towns and music halls. Surprised by the modesty of the bookings and cramped little guesthouses, the tour starts off subdued. They struggle for audiences and their booking agent seems disinterested. But a series of TV guest spots and celebrity appearances soon rekindle the country’s interest in their genius and the buzz grows as they head towards a big London finale. As the attention builds, so too do old resentments, coming to a head as they’re joined by ‘the wives’, Lucille and Ida (Shirley Henderson and Nina Arianda)" (London Film Festival).
- Director:
- Jon S. Baird ('Filth', 'Vinyl')
- Writer:
- Jeff Pope
- Cast:
- John C. ReillySteve CooganShirley HendersonNina AriandaDanny HustonRufus JonesSusy Kane
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksDirector Jon S. Baird follows up the fabulously frenetic Filth with a decidedly more restrained, traditional biopic, following Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy’s (John C. Reilly) 1953 live stage tour of the UK. The former giants of screen comedy are growing old, their popularity waning, their bank accounts empty. Reunited after years apart, each bearing a grudge against the other for the split, they perform to near-empty theatres, hoping to secure funding for a comeback movie.
Variety
pressIf a couple of laboured gags around hauling luggage don't fully land, that rather proves how much more art went into Laurel and Hardy's craft than they ever chose to let on.
The Times
pressAs the film cruises towards its conclusion it reaches genuinely sublime heights.
The Telegraph
pressIt is eccentric, sad and stirring to the core. Oh yes - and incredibly funny, too.
Stuff
pressAt its best, Stan and Ollie locates a lovely seam of pathos, dignity, wit and human decency that never quite slips into syrup and sentiment.
Screen Daily
pressThis is a fond, frequently very funny homage to an act that has lost none of its genius. A new generation of fans awaits.
Hollywood Reporter
pressEven if it only occasionally provokes big laughs, this sweet, small film makes you smile most of the way through, which may be a more uncommon feat.
BBC
pressStan & Ollie is a film you watch with a lump in your throat, but with a smile on your face.
Flicks, Adam Fresco
flicksDirector Jon S. Baird follows up the fabulously frenetic Filth with a decidedly more restrained, traditional biopic, following Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy’s (John C. Reilly) 1953 live stage tour of the UK. The former giants of screen comedy are growing old, their popularity waning, their bank accounts empty. Reunited after years apart, each bearing a grudge against the other for the split, they perform to near-empty theatres, hoping to secure funding for a comeback movie.
Variety
pressIf a couple of laboured gags around hauling luggage don't fully land, that rather proves how much more art went into Laurel and Hardy's craft than they ever chose to let on.
The Times
pressAs the film cruises towards its conclusion it reaches genuinely sublime heights.
The Telegraph
pressIt is eccentric, sad and stirring to the core. Oh yes - and incredibly funny, too.
Stuff
pressAt its best, Stan and Ollie locates a lovely seam of pathos, dignity, wit and human decency that never quite slips into syrup and sentiment.
Screen Daily
pressThis is a fond, frequently very funny homage to an act that has lost none of its genius. A new generation of fans awaits.
Hollywood Reporter
pressEven if it only occasionally provokes big laughs, this sweet, small film makes you smile most of the way through, which may be a more uncommon feat.
BBC
pressStan & Ollie is a film you watch with a lump in your throat, but with a smile on your face.
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