Stan & Ollie

Just to clarify the random headline I wrote, it was inspired by a scene in the film where Hardy, exasperated, takes his hat off and utters "Unbelievable!". Laurel comes up behind him and, startling Hardy senseless, answers, "It certainly is!" That sums up this treasure very well.Stan and Ollie is a film I had wanted to see ever since hearing about the news of its release back in 2018. Unfortunately, I never got to a theater during its run, seeing it instead much later on Amazon Prime and then owning it on DVD. It nevertheless blew me away, though I do wonder what it would have been like seeing this in a theater full of modern movie-goers. I say this because I grew up on a steady diet of classic comedy like Laurel and Hardy and others. It would have been interesting to see a houseful of millennials and the like laughing to the recreations of these classic L&H routines. Even if it is only a recreation, this kind of comedy needs bringing back because, no matter how many times it's been done, it still brings the house down. It's both sweetly traditional and yet breathtakingly refreshing when set again the Rinse and Repeat recipe of today's film market.I'm really excited that this piece was brought to fruition by an independent film company, Fables Pictures. It's so independent and so disconnected from mainstream film-making that it has not even, gasp, earned an entry in Wikipedia as of this writing. I had to go to the company's webpage to really learn about them. It is mainly run by women, and the fresh take on film-making very clearly shows. I particularly like their mission statement, which I copied here:"Fable Pictures was born out of a passion for storytelling. We champion the very best talent in film and television, to tell stories that are thrilling, soulful and thought-provoking."Enough said. All the marks in this statement were soundly hit with Stan and Ollie.Now to the performers: The main actors, Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly were, I will admit, not the men I would have initially thought to cast for these well-known personalities. BUT I'm glad that someone had the vision and the willingness to do just that, because these two ARE Laurel and Hardy all the way down to Laurel's flat-footed walk and Hardy's tie-twiddling "Hello, goils!" Both men wore prosthetics for their roles, most notably Reilly in a fatsuit to play Hardy, but you don't see the makeup because the actors blend into the roles perfectly. You get a real sense of much practice going not only into vocal mimicry but also movement. Just an example, look up the Way Out West dance scene recreation on YouTube. There is no half-heartedness there. From the dance steps down to the cheap rear-projection used in the background, both the actors and the sets capture the flavor of the original scene to a tearfully beautiful T.As to the film itself, what more can be said than it is an overall treat. It's not the kind of biopic we are used to seeing. It's not out to taint the image of its protagonists nor does it try to paint them as perfect. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were human beings that acted for a living, not quite the best of friends, but two men who happened to make cracking good comedy together because they were so different in temperament. The film is built on lovingly-documented facts such as Laurel's workaholic lifestyle and Hardy's good-natured gambling fascination; on neither of these accounts does the film ever take things too far. There are well-placed doses of slapstick and giggles to keep the tone wonderfully even. There is, however, some drama in the latter half of the story when the two supposedly start having difficulties. I've not read about this particular incident in any Laurel and Hardy biography to date, but we also can't say for sure that it never happened. The boys do make up in the end of the movie, though, so this bit of liberty-taking did not detract from this overall sweet tale. There were actually quite a few fictional events plunked down in the story, but this was all done in the spirit of the duo to work for their image, not against it.The plot: The film only briefly touches on L&H's heyday - in 1937, on the set of Way Out West. Fast forward to the 1950s when the two take on a tour of the UK. The truly fictionalized, almost fantasy, part comes in the form of the Robin Hood movie the boys are rehearsing on the trip over. This movie never came to be, and it was never really in the planning stages. It was only mentioned in passing as an idea for a potential film years before in 1947. Building around that What-If premise is the true story of the team's UK stage tour. This is my favorite part of the film, as it plays like an original L&H short in some places, particularly their arrival at a less-than-stately hotel on a rainy night. The schtick performed at the Check-In desk is a new but well-written homage to the original L&H programs.The rest of the plot I will keep a surprise. This is not because I don't want to spread spoilers. I just want people to find out for themselves by watching this delight, because viewing it is half the fun.And about the DVD release: Please go the extra mile and buy the disc itself. There are several extras you don't get on the Amazon Prime rental option. There are not as many extras as you would find on a mainstream DVD, but what's there is really enjoyable and gives you some of the behind-the-scenes story. My personal favorite part is the complete Way Out West dance scene.Five stars given without a moment's hesitation.

It's hard to miss John C Reilly in there but Steve Coogan literally inhabits Stan Laurel. The likeness and performance is uncanny. Interesting art-film about the heydays of Hollywood and the pain of fading stardom.

I loved everything about this film. I’m a big fan of the wonderful work of Laurel and Hardy. Their comedy is timeless, and they are two of the most lovable guys who’ve ever appeared on screen. This film is a wonderful and touching remembrance of their lives and their impact on their fans and each other. Beautifully made and well cast. I’m so glad I finally have this Blu-ray. It’s beautiful.

The movie follows legendary comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy during the last few years of their partnership. The performances -- especially by John C. Reilly as Ollie -- are wonderful, but none of the main characters are particularly appealing. All of them are flawed in their own ways. If you're a Hollywood history buff, the film is highly recommended.

Fantastic acting, uncanny portrayals of the greatest comedy duo of all time. Reproducing many of their routines while also revealing them as human beings. May not be 100% accurate in terms of timeframe details, but an extremely enjoyable film. I watched it twice!

Through the magic of brilliant acting and amazing makeup, John C. Reilly is transformed into an Oliver Hardy doppelganger, totally immersing himself into Oliver "Babe" Hardy. Although not an eerie lookalike of Stan Laurel, Steve Coogan walks, talks and inhabit Stan Laurel, portraying him as the human outside the lovable clueless sidekick in the Hal Roach shorts. The two actors portray the boys at different stages superbly: during 1937 in their heyday when they performed their infamous dance in Way Out West, then 16 years later, when they're much older and suffering ill-health, especially Babe.I like that this movie did not attempt to cover their entire career; rather, it tells the story of a little-known segment of their career when the boys attempted a come-back of sorts in 1953 by going on tour to England and Ireland, re-creating their old skits on stage. Their career is winding down, but the duo decides to go on the tour because they need the money. Gone is their youth and golden years with Hal Roach studios; the boys make a few forgettable films but never reached the nadir of popularity of their early years. The tour takes its toll on Oliver, who suffers a heart attack during an appearance at a beauty contest. Their much younger wives (Shirley Henderson as Lucille Hardy and Nina Arianda as Ida Kitaeva Laurel) are strong personalities, yet both care deeply for their aged husbands and are very likeable, occasionally providing some comic relief.The film is beautifully done in sepia-toned colors and lighting to reflect of a time long ago; had the colors been vivid and bright, it would not have created the same mood and effect. There is a sadness to this story that is reflected in the colors and lighting; a beloved comedy duo is nearing the end of their fading career and health. The boys make one last ditch effort to revitalize their career; however this British tour was not to be their last appearance as Laurel & Hardy. In 1954 they appeared on "This Is Your Life", and in 1955 appeared one last time together in "This Is Music Hall", a BBC production. Two years later, Babe passed away, and Laurel refused to perform thereafter. This film is a loving tribute to this popular twosome. I've been a fan of Laurel & Hardy since I was in middle school and have all their films in my DVD collection. This gem of a movie is highly recommended. The actors do an outstanding job portraying Stan and Ollie and would be a great addition to any movie collection or for aficionados of Laurel & Hardy.

I loved it! Well, now I have it to show it to anyone who needs to know Laurel and Hardy.

Super film sur le duo d'une fin de carrière assez méconnue. Ressemblances et mimiques des 2 acteurs, surtout pour Steve Coogan, incroyable de ressemblance. Pour la qualité du DVD, je ne comprends pas ce que l'on reproche. Je pense que le blu-ray ne serait pas beaucoup mieux, car je trouve l'image impeccable. de plus, il n' y a pas de mini coupure de passage de 2 ème couche. Je le recommande vivement à ceux qui aiment ou qui ont aimé les films Laurel et Hardy.

One of the best movies I've ever seen. Old fashioned movie making at its best. The plot goes where you want it to go, but it never feels mechanical or co drives. The moments of true friendship should make you weep. See It, share it. If it doesn't find it's way to your heart, you never had a heart to begin with.

Story (5)Nur selten sieht man ein derart nuanciert und einfühlsam inszeniertes Biopic, wie wir es mit «Stan & Ollie» vorliegen haben. Obwohl hier eine Huldigung an die grossen Komiker Stan Laurel und Oliver Hardy abgedreht wurde, zeigt der Film nicht ihre Karrierenhöhepunkte, sondern ganz im Gegenteil, die Endzeit des genialen Komiker-Duos. Ein sehr kreativer Ansatz, welcher durch die gute Story und die nicht weniger eindrücklich ausgefallene Inszenierung zu einem wunderschönen Film geworden ist.Zudem hat man mit Steve Coogan als Stan und John C. Reilly als Ollie die nahezu perfekten Schauspieler gefunden, welche ihre Rollen derart gut verkörpern, dass man als Zuschauer ab und an vergisst, dass nicht die echten Laurel & Hardy vor der Kamera stehen. Nicht genug hervorheben kann man in diesem Zusammenhang die grossartige Maske, welche vor allem bei Ollie zu einer perfekten Metamorphose führt.Es ist eine Geschichte über Freundschaft, verletzte Gefühle und deren Verarbeitung. Universale Themen also, was den Nebeneffekt hat, dass man die beiden oder ihre Karriere nicht kennen muss, um Gefallen an dieser Verfilmung zu finden.Ein grossartiges Biopic über ein einzigartiges und bis heute unerreichtes Komiker-Duo, welches den beiden gerecht wird!BLU-RAY-BILD (4,5)Das Bildseitenverhältnis liegt in 2,35:1 (21:9 – Neues CinemaScope-Format) vor.Eine ausgezeichnete Bildumsetzung wird uns auf dieser Blu-ray geboten. Die Detailgenauigkeit ist auf sehr hohem Niveau. Der digital gedrehte Film verfügt zudem über einen sehr guten Kontrast sowie einen ausgezeichneten Schwarzwert. Nur selten gehen Details in dunklen Szenen etwas unter – das ist jedoch Jammern auf sehr hohem Niveau…Die Farbgebung ist sehr ansprechend ausgefallen und lässt ein authentisches 50er-Jahre-Flair aufkommen.BLU-RAY-TON (4,5)Das Tonformat liegt in Deutsch DTS-HD Master 5.1 vor.Auch tontechnisch gibt es kaum etwas zu beanstanden. Die Dialoge sind jederzeit bestens zu verstehen. Die Surround-Lautsprecher werden immer wieder gut ins Geschehen miteinbezogen, wodurch eine sehr ansprechende Räumlichkeit erzielt wird. Der Subwoofer wird nicht allzu oft beansprucht, überzeugt jedoch bei den wenigen Szenen voll und ganz mit einer ausgewogenen Dynamik. Die Tonbalance ist zudem stimmig ausgefallen.ExtrasGibt es einige, unter anderem den Kurzfilm-Klassiker «The Music Box» von 1932, für den Laurel & Hardy ihren einzigen Oscar erhielten.Ein WendeCover ist vorhanden.FAZITEine gelungene Huldigung des unvergessenen Komiker-Duos Laurel & Hardy – sehr sehenswert!Die Blu-ray-Umsetzung kann zudem durch eine ausgezeichnete Bild- und Tonqualität überzeugen!

A wonderful tale of 2 stars of a not so long ago era - when movies & TV overtook live shows - vauderville!!