STAN & OLLIE MOVIE REVIEW MOVIE
STAN & OLLIE MOVIE REVIEW SERIES

tour, the two men look like wrinkled shells of their former selves: HardyвЂ™s pushing 60 and struggling with health issues, while Laurel continues to cobble together a new screenplay with no apparent start date. Reuniting at a shabby hotel for the start of their U.K. As they step in front of a rear projection to engage in their famously silly dance routine, the ease with which they slip out of backroom dealings to delivering their natural talents is at once endearing and remarkable - the essence of a skill unique to the slapstick era.Д¬ut to 16 years later, and the bright lights have faded. вЂњStan & OllieвЂќ opens in the early 1930s, on the set of the pairвЂ™s iconic Western comedy вЂњWay Out West,вЂќ with a dizzying long take that follows the pair from their dressing room to the bright lights as they bicker about a looming contract negotiation with producer Hal Roach (a fleeting but well-cast Danny Huston). Reilly, buried in a fat suit, turns Hardy into a lovable big lug Coogan, eyes wide open as he swings his arms around a lanky frame, bears an uncanny resemblance to the real deal.Д«ut this schtick takes on particular resonance through lens of passing time. But the two actors are so convincing that they often elevate material in much the same way that Laurel and Hardy delivered their comedy through the ongoing punchline of physical contrast.

STAN & OLLIE MOVIE REVIEW MOVIE

вЂњStan & OllieвЂќ salutes an under-appreciated comedy duo while exploring the hardships of fading into the limelight appropriately, the movie itself is rather forgettable even as the actors deliver brilliant performances in every scene.ДЄ far cry from вЂњSunset Blvd.вЂќ, Jeff PopeвЂ™s straightforward screenplay follows the real-life circumstances of the 1953 Europe tour with a schematic approach that hits every sentimental beat right on schedule. Yet for much of its running time, thatвЂ™s sufficient. The ensuing showbiz dramedy follows a genial trajectory, falling short of injecting much ingenuity into the story beyond the uncanny ability to resurrect Laurel and Hardy onscreen.

STAN & OLLIE MOVIE REVIEW SERIES

and Ireland, where they engage in a series of lively stage shows that rekindles their talent. BairdвЂ™s bittersweet little movie follows the pair through a farewell tour across the U.K. Much of вЂњStan & OllieвЂќ explores explores that disconnect: Even as the men grow distant from the happier moments of their Hollywood careers, their chemistry chases them everywhere.Дirector Jon S. As they stand in the middle of a public reception celebrating their work, the fracas registers to the surrounding crowd as a bit. The answer: вЂњWell, what else would we do?вЂќ (98 min) Don Morton John C.ThereвЂ™s a clever moment midway through вЂњ Stan & OllieвЂќ in which aging slapstick duo Stan Laurel ( Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy ( John C. The two are musing over why they continue on together. ThereвЂ™s a line toward the end that says it all. Gentle, endearingly modest and captivating from start to finish, this is a study of the serious business of being funny. Aging fans will be delighted and younger, uninitiated moviegoers will understand how magical these two were together. The writing is engaging, all the characters are fully realized, the production values are tops, and the whole thing rings true.В One aspect I particularly liked was that the movie doesnвЂ™t forget that it is about the entertainment business, and frequently takes time out from the drama for some of the duoвЂ™s legendary routines and dance numbers. Reilly, both in top form, absolutely disappear into their roles with intelligence and spirit, and transcend mere caricature. I was skeptical going in, given HollywoodвЂ™s penchant for dumbing things down for the multiplex crowd, but was soon won over. It does, but they remain dogged by past ghosts and concerns over OliverвЂ™s failing health. No longer the undisputed kings of Hollywood comedy, they hope the tour will reignite their popularity. As with many recent biopics, this poignant portrait of one of historyвЂ™s greatest comedy duos focuses on a brief period in the lives of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy toward the end of the careers, in this case a swan-song tour of British music halls in 1953.

Stan & ollie movie review