Wednesday, 16 January 2019

Stan & Ollie - The scoop and digest

Jon S. Baird's biopic focuses on the later years of comedy legends.

Summary

By 1937, Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly) are at the top of their game.

Sixteen years later, double act embark on a gruelling tour of the UK to fund one last hoorah - a comedic adaptation of Robin Hood.

Despite falling out, they reconcile, and complete tour in Ireland; much to the delight of adoring fanbase.

Endearing tribute

Unlike the self-indulgent Bohemian Rhapsody, this was great.

Direction is tighter than a new pair of shoes and Jeff Pope's screenplay carefully balances humour with heart and drama.

Aside from looking remarkably like their real-life counterparts, Coogan and Reilly are excellent.

Nina Arianda and Shirley Henderson (as Laurel and Hardy's wives respectively), provide important support.

Rufus Jones is also good as theatre impresario Bernard Delfont.

Routines are immaculately recreated, as we get hard-boiled eggs and nuts from County Hospital and the genius of double-door.

At some point, Stan and Ollie's luggage accidentally slides down a flight of stairs, referencing runaway piano in 1932 short The Music Box.

Lovely stuff.

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