Stan and Ollie * * * *

Riley and Coogan do a great act of a great act.

       This film is absolutely delightful. 
       The thin Laurel and the stout Hardy are universally recognised comic figures, but to be honest I didn't know that much about them. I always thought their time was much earlier - primarily in the silent movies, but their glory days in film was actually in the thirties and forties.
       However, this film does not concentrate on that.  It's about their latter years in the fifties.
       When we are introduced to them, their popularity is fading and their film producer in America is losing interest in them.  However, an opportunity to shoot a film in England presents itself, and whilst waiting for the film production to come to fruition they are offered a tour of live theater work.
        The tour commenced disastrously, but rather than throw in the towel they persisted and the word spread that this excellent show from two consummate professionals was not to be missed.  Soon they were packing out theaters throughout England.  They brought their lovely eccentric wives over to be with them - played wonderfully by Nina Arianda and Shirley Henderson.  They played up to the press and the press couldn't get enough of them.
        But much of the drama is behind the scenes as the relationship between Stan and Ollie becomes strained over resentment for past incidents.  And for Oliver Hardy an even greater challenge is looming in his life.
        Laurel and Hardy are played outstandingly by Steve Coogan and John C Riley. The recreation of their famous scenes and routines are flawless and a reminder that even today those routines were - and are - funny.
       For me, one of the most uplifting things about Stan and Ollie is the amount of love that is expressed in this compact and perfectly enacted film.  Love for each other, for their wives and for their work.
       It's a beautiful film and a most worthy tribute to a great act.