Stan & Ollie (2018)

Stan & Ollie (Dir: Jon S Baird, 2018).

The big screen biopic has had a resurgence in popularity in recent years. From the stories of British rock stars Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (Bryan Singer, 2018) and Elton John in Rocketman (Dexter Fletcher, 2019) to Hollywood's own golden age legends Judy Garland in Judy (Rupert Goold, 2019) and this biopic of beloved comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. 

Movies about the movies have long been a staple in Hollywood, but Stan & Ollie has a somewhat different approach to many of the biographical titles which have preceded it. Most notably, it ignores the the duo’s well documented heyday, being with the stars’ falling out over a contractual dispute with producer Hal Wallis in 1937. From here we jump to the early 1950s when the pair, reunited but still nursing wounds over the quarrel, embark on a comeback tour of the UK and Ireland. Here the tour is initially mishandled by promoter Bernard Delfont and the pair are playing to largely empty venues, although the duo are eventually afforded the warm welcome they deserve. Stan & Ollie chronicles the stars' strained relationships with each other and their partners, while also detailing their attempts to reignite a movie career. Eventually Hardy's failing health brings an abrupt halt to the tour but also signals a renewed reconciliation between the pair. 

Of course a movie like this succeeds or fails on the strength of the performances. I am happy to report that both Steve Coogan and John Reilly are excellent in their respective roles as Stan and Ollie. Not only do they look like the stars (with help from prosthetics) their studied physicality and vocal performances are spot on. In a narrative interspersed with comedy skits, the stars are entirely convincing as the comic legends; a recreation of a song and dance routine from the pair's classic Way Out West (James W Horne, 1937) is meticulously recreated. Standout among the supporting cast are Rufus Jones, excellent in the small but important role of Delfont and Shirley Henderson and Nina Arianda as the duo's wives Lucille Hardy and Ida Kitaeva Laurel respectively. 

The backstreet theatres and dive hotels of the initial phase of the tour are lovingly recreated in an evocative portrayal of post-War Britain. Plaudits to cinematographer Laurie Rose's muted colour pallet and soft focus photography which add immensely to the warmly nostalgic period atmosphere. 

While Stan & Ollie may appeal most to fans of the duo, the movie is strong enough to appeal to the most casual admirers. Indeed I would recommend the movie to anyone with the slightest interest in Golden Age Hollywood or the halcyon days of British variety theatre. Both Mr Coogan and Mr Reilly offer career best performances in their respective roles in this warmhearted, affectionate account of Hollywood's most fondly remembered comedy performers in the twilight of their careers.