Stan & Ollie, inspired by the book by A.J. Marriot - 8.7 out of 10

Stan & Ollie, inspired by the book by A.J. Marriot
8.7 out of 10


For all the many amusing moments in this excellent biographical film, this viewer nearly cried, for this is also a very touching, sensitive approach to a part in the life of two of the best comedians the world has ever seen.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy have been in fact more than actors, for this and I am sure many other lands.
Back in the communist days, these Gods of Comedy brought solace to a people that was depressed, oppressed, suffering the hardships imposed by tyranny.

The laughter these iconic figures caused soothed, worked as a magical therapy.
Indeed, humor is one key element of happiness, as demonstrated by positive psychology research.

Steve Coogan is excellent in the role of Stan Laurel, for which he has been nominated for the Golden Globe, BAFTA and other awards.
John C. Reilly gives an equally enchanting performance as Oliver Hardy, a much more rewarding part than the recent Doctor Watson he played against a flawed Holmes, in Holmes & Watson.

In the introduction, we learn that the comedians are unhappy with their status with the studio and Stan is ready to stand up and ask for a better pay, now that his contract is ending.
Ollie on the other hand is not yet free and he is also a more amenable, easy to please man who accepts the refusal of the studio head and continues to work, even when his partner walks out, unwilling to continue for very little money.

In our time, a much less gifted actor like The Rock Johnson can command an immense salary, plus percentage - a few years ago, he has been the highest paid actor, although I for one cannot see the reason why, for Stan or Ollie wee one worth one hundred Rocks each, to be generous with our contemporary.
This is because in the old days, the studios had an exaggerated power over the stars, who were all under contract and couldn't oppose the likes of Cecil B. DeMille.

Stan & Ollie are reunited after many years and go on a tour in Britain.
This is in part because they have been paid so terribly little for the many films they have made.

It is also due to the hope they have that they will perform in a comical take on Robin Hood.
The famous outlaw story will be adapted, with many hilarious lines conceived mainly by Stan, who seems to have been the creative genius in the extraordinary duo.

One of the ideas concocted would be "We'll take from the poor and give to the poor, to eliminate the middle man" thus changing the classic restitution, from the rich to the poor.
Another scene would have Ollie in love and crying so much that Stan thinks hard what to do and decides to bring a plant to collect the river of tears...a plant that would grow magically, using a prop for that.

When the famous comedians arrive in their town, quite a few fans do not believe it and when they see the posters, they ask at the theater...

Who is playing Stan and Ollie?
They are playing themselves...

Of some are able to see stars on Broadway today, I guess it is because salaries there can be much more than respectable and then many celebrities have gained so many millions that they can afford to work for considerably less on stage.
For Oliver and Stan alas, it is a question of making a living...as their impresario emphasized at one point...

These sausages are not paying for themselves...

The jocular scenes alternate therefore with emotional, sad, heartbreaking ones, for these phenomenal comedy geniuses were actually abused at moments.
They had to play in halls that were small and not full, in spite of the effort required of them to keep promoting, advertising in various obscure circumstances, like the small beauty pageant where Oliver has a heart attack.

It is true that the night before, the two friends have had a serious argument, over their separation when Stan decided to walk out of the studio and Oliver to continue filming.
Both think the other is to blame, although when they would discuss the matter later, in Ollie's bed, where he is convalescing, each says he had not meant the mean words uttered on that fight night.

Stan learns that the film they kept speaking and dreaming about would not be made, but tries hard to prevent his friend from learning the truth that would hurt him.
This is a formidable story of friendship, devotion, in spite of the temporary separation, caused to a great extent by the inability of the kind, gentle Ollie to argue, collide with the studio head or anyone, while Stan Laurel could be much more determined, telling the greedy studio boss the truth about the relationship.

While Oliver is in bed, after his stroke, the impresario brings another actor, so that Stan could finish the tour.
The loyal, emotional Stan finds he cannot work outside this amazing partnership.

Which may remind one of a short story by Thomas Mann, wherein a character talks about the definition of friendship.
He says that we can find real friends only in books, for in real life, people are not loyal, do not feel so much although they often say:

Our love or friendship is so fabulous, there are no words for it...most often, or always in the opinion of the Thomas Mann character, words are more than enough and signify much more than the reality is.

Stan and Ollie have had a friendship that is rare, a model on so many levels, just as their art makes one wonder about The Rock Johnson and what on earth does he have to offer.