Shown: 8 January 2020
- Date of release: 2018
- Running time: 1h 38m
- Director: Jon S. Baird
- Writers: Jeff Pope, ‘A.J.’ Marriot (book)
- Country: UK, Canada, USA
- Language: English
- Links: IMDB Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic Official Film Website
Stan & Ollie Plot Synopsis
Laurel & Hardy, one of the world’s great comedy teams, set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953. Diminished by age and with their golden era as the kings of Hollywood comedy now behind them, they face an uncertain future. As the charm and beauty of their performances shines through, they re-connect with their adoring fans.
The tour becomes a hit, but Stan & Ollie can’t quite shake the spectre of Laurel and Hardy’s past; the long-buried ghosts, coupled with Oliver’s failing health, start to threaten their precious partnership. A portrait of the most tender and poignant of creative marriages, they are aware that they may be approaching their swan song, trying to rediscover just how much they mean to each other.
Film Reviews
It is eccentric, sad and stirring to the core. Oh yes – and incredibly funny, too.
Robbie Collin, Telegraph
Stan & Ollie muddles up the history a bit, as all biopics do, but it’s a film without any meaningful flaws. Every character is wonderfully realised, every performance is spectacular. You’ll laugh all the way through, you’ll cry by the end, and you’ll see the brilliance of Laurel & Hardy come back to life via the very same cinematic magic that made them legends in the first place.
William Bibbiani, IGN