This story of Stan and Ollie is beautifully and artfully told, and the performances are fantastic. Steve Coogan’s Laurel is convincing and mesmerizing; his physical expressions make us feel as though we’ve truly met the original. John C. Reilly’s Hardy is strong and loving, and we see how, together, they are each other’s rock and each other’s joy. Laurel is the imagination engine fueling their endless gags and skits—the passionate performer who plays the bumble but stands on principle and would rather quit than cave. Hardy is the straight man, but also the fragile addict. And being part of the Laurel and Hardy audience, and their lives, feels like an emotional connection I didn’t want to leave.
The film begins as the famous duo are adored around the world as comedy heroes, yet they are aging and hanging on to a schtick that is beloved, but …well, aging. We become deeply involved with the state of their relationship as actors, as partners and inseparable friends. Their friendship has endured growing pains, professional betrayal and outlived several marriages between them, and through it all we are brought into the story as if we’re in the room with them.
We don’t see movies like this very often, so take the family and share a bit of important history that will also make your heart truly warm.
