'Stan & Ollie': The Men Behind the Act

Stan & Ollie’s namesake comes from the fact that it is a more intimate, more personal look into the men behind the Laurel and Hardy act. However, it is more than that. It is in many ways a love story about the relationship between the two men, and how it survived so many years, despite some bumps along the road.

The film moves at a gentle, steady pace. It opens with a scene of the two men walking through their movie lot at the height of their fame, shot in an impressive single-take, where we observe the hustle and bustle of their world, viewing their influence on the people around them. Despite the quick timing and perfection required for such a shot, it never feels rushed or panicked, setting a precedent for the rest of the film.

From then, the film flashes sixteen years forward into the twilight years of their act, reuniting for a tour after a contract disagreement drove them apart. Stan & Ollie is a snapshot in history of this time in the two men’s lives, when the subtle tension between them was not enough to negate their charm and dynamic performances, both on and off stage.

Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly deliver performances that are absolutely lovely; with Reilly appearing as a gentle giant besides Coogan’s wit and sharp physical comedy, it is starkly affecting when the claws do come out, and their grievances with each other are aired.

As well as being a snapshot in time, and a somewhat cynical at times look at the world of showbusiness that Laurel and Hardy existed within, the film is a heart-warming take on the complexities of relationships of all kinds, whether that be professional, personal, or romantic, and the complications that can ensue when two people are irrevocably tied together.