Stan & Ollie

Official Australian release date: 21/2/19. Viewed: 23/2/19.

Director: Jon S. Baird

Actors: John C. Reilly, Steve Coogan, Shirley Henderson, Nina Arianda

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Rating: PG

‘Stan & Ollie’ is a biopic of Stan Laurel (Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (Reilly), one of Hollywood’s most successful comedic duos in the 1930s & 1940s. It’s mostly set in 1953, as they undertake a British theatre tour and try to launch a comeback (even though in their 60s), but it turns into their swan-song. They spend most of the film trying to draw bigger crowds at Delfont’s (Jones) insistence and trying to get a ‘Robin Hood’ film off the ground.

There’s plenty of funny moments, but most of the film centres on the pair’s relationship and the dynamic between he four when their wives arrive in London – Ida Laurel (Arianda) and Lucille Hardy (Henderson). Both the wives have some great lines and scenes. Good to see how Laurel & Hardy would’ve come up with some of their jokes/routines. A lot of it is a bit dated for modern audiences, but it was the 50s.

Both Coogan and Reilly are good, but the fat-suit Reilly wears makes his acting even more impressive. You really end up caring for them as characters, so they’ve done their job. Good ending, with a nice insight into some classic comedians, Hollywood and theatre.

Overall: Well-made comedic historical biopic.

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars.