Stan and Ollie was directed by Jon S. Baird and stars Jon C Reilly, Steve Coogan, Shirley Henderson, Danny Huston, Nina Ariana, Rufus Jones and Susy Kane.
This film is about the later lives of comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as they go on a tour and attempt to get another film made. I thought the plot was interesting because I think that the later half of their lives is maybe something only devout fans know about, and now not only do some fans get a better insight into that, but we also get a Laurel and Hardy movie.
Acting - everyone is trying their hardest here, but the best performance with no doubt, was John C Reilly as Hardy. He has this character down very well, he looks like Hardy, sounds like Hardy and even has some of Hardy's trademark mannerisms. All of those go into creating a performance different from what Reilly is known for and he pulls it off almost perfectly. Coogan is nearly as good as Laurel, but he seems not to reach the same level of dedication and immersion in his role as Reilly does.
Screenplay - it was written by Jeff Pope and I was impressed with it. The best thing about it is that it knows who its target audience is - Laurel and Hardy fans. Someone who is not a Laurel and Hardy fan could go to this and be mildly entertained, or at best could want to learn more. But there are things from famous Laurel and Hardy co-stars to highly detailed recreations of movie scenes, and moments of slapstick all meant to please the fans.
Cinematography - the cinematography is by Laurie Rose. The best shots were the ones taken around the old studios because it gives us an idea of the lengths people once went to make films, and how cinema has advanced since then.
Music - the score was composed by Rolfe Kent but unfortunately is reduced to a very traditional kind of period drama score, which you will take notice of when watching it, but forget once the film is over. And the only music you will remember is when the Laurel and Hardy theme was played.
Here is the one flaw, the film takes a sixteen-year gap during which Hardy does something that Laurel sees as betrayal. There are nods to it early on, but when it is mentioned out in the open it's forgiven and brushed aside very quickly. The subject is mentioned a few more times but never expanded upon, I feel as if the film could have had this and done a bit more with it, or not had it at all and the film would probably be no different.
In conclusion - Stan and Ollie has good lead performances, a good script that works as a basic comedy biopic and never forgets who its core audience is. However I felt it is let down by a score that is hard to remember, and a subplot that could have been interesting but is rarely explored.
Having taken all my pros and cons into account, I'm going to give Stan and Ollie
B+
Thank you for reading.
