Do you suppose it would have been fitting for this film to cut out half-way through in favor of a biopic about Abbott and Costello? I grew up an Abbott and Costello fan. And of all the historic cinematic comedic duos I could have shown allegiance (Bing Crosby & Bob Hope, Kid ‘n Play, Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson), I have no regrets in my choice. But I do wish I knew a little bit more about Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Well, whaddayaknow? Here is a sorta-kinda-quasi wish sorta-kinda-quasi granted.
Stan & Ollie made it perfectly clear that Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly) split in 1937 over contract issues with studio head Hal Roach (Danny Huston) only to reunite at long last for a stage tour in 1953. This isn’t true. Imdb says that Between 1937 and 1953, the duo made over a dozen feature films. The film also claimed the gargantuan Ollie was far more susceptible to being a sucker for the ladies than his smaller companion. Wikipedia, however, says Oliver was divorced twice, while Stan was divorced a whopping four times, including twice to the same woman. Well, who are you gonna believe, factual sources or a biopic? Luckily, none of this is especially necessary to the enjoyment of the picture; yet it does give me pause when reflecting upon motivation in given scenes.
This is an odd, almost daring, casting coup. Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are both folks we expect either paired with others or on the tail end of a film’s extended cast. For this picture, Steve Coogan has jettisoned his usual pairing with Rob Brydon which makes me a little sad for both men. John C. Reilly is usually the stooge at the side of stoogier Will Ferrell, where he was not a month ago in Holmes & Watson. Is this your new thing, JCR? Gonna just appear as one of a famous duo? What’s next? John Oates? Penn? Bullwinkle?
By 1937, Laurel and Hardy were household names and comic legends.. If the picture is to be believed, their celebrity had not translated into cash; Oliver in particular seemed practically destitute and only too happy to stay on contract with Roach. Stan’s contract was on a different timeline, suggesting that the two had uneven bargaining power and when Stan attempts to sign with another studio, Ollie stands him up and the two were never seen together again for sixteen years (except, of course, for the dozen or so feature films they made together).
The bulk of Stan & Ollie takes place in the UK of 1953. The two have reunited for a stage tour and crowds in excess of ten people! At this point, both men are on the high side of middle age. Their chemistry and comic timing is as stellar as ever, but there is serious question as to how long their magical relationship can last. Stan thinks he has a deal for Robin Hood film (which one plays Robin Hood?) while Ollie has nagging health concerns. I know, I know. “Middle age!” “Health concerns!” “Contract disputes!” Where do I sign up?
Oh, just wait, Stan refers to Ollie as “Babe” for most of the picture. I never got whether this was resemblance to contemporary Babe Ruth, Babe the Blue Ox, or just a random term of endearment.
None of that is going to get you to watch this film; nor should it. What Stan & Ollie truly has going for it is two-fold: Coogan & Reilly make a darn good Laurel & Hardy. Coogan especially is spot-on as Stan Laurel. Together, they understand exactly what made the pair comic legends. Second, and most important, is that there was great depth to the relationship between the pair. For a tandem who were divorced six times between them, they actually were loyal partners to one another. This film has added an emotional depth to film caricatures that cannot be found in their original body of work. And for that, despite the factual recreations as well as making me see a full feature film of Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly, I give it a passing grade.
For old comic legends, I’ve druthers
Stan & Ollie stand out from the others
That cabin room scene
And a mirror routine
Wait a minute, those were the Marx Brothers
Rated PG, 98 Minutes
Director: Jon S. Baird
Writer: Jeff Pope
Genre: Selling old comedy
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Your wistful great grandfather
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: People who shun all things old
