Stan & Ollie

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Stan & Ollie

PG

Released Jan 25, 2019

1h 37m

Biography

Comedy

Drama

History

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Popcornmeter

93%

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223 Reviews

83%

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1,000+ Ratings

Laurel and Hardy -- the world's greatest comedy team -- face an uncertain future as their golden era of Hollywood films remain long behind them. Diminished by age, the duo set out to reconnect with their adoring fans by touring variety halls in Britain in 1953. The shows become an instant hit, but Stan and Ollie can't quite shake the past as long-buried tension and Hardy's failing health start to threaten their precious partnership.

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Critics Consensus

Stan & Ollie pays tribute to a pair of beloved entertainers with an affectionate look behind the scenes -- and a moving look at the burdens and blessings of a creative bond.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

The film is more pleasant than edifying, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - it generates a warm sense of reverence for a bygone era of entertainment.

Mar 11, 2020

Full Review

Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It's a lovely film if you love movies... There's also a great undercurrent of melancholy.

Sep 13, 2019

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

It's a film made with an enormous amount of care and affection. And Coogan and O'Reilly don't just perform. They resurrect.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 22, 2019

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

A funny, loving biopic on the careers and friendship of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, arguably the kings of comedic double acts.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 14, 2024

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Serena Seghedoni

Loud and Clear Reviews

John S. Baird’s Stan & Ollie is a heartwarming tale of friendship and courage and the perfect farewell to the world’s most famous comedy duo.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 2, 2023

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Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

The movie is a pitch-perfect portrait of two aging comedians and their exasperated but devoted wives.

Dec 7, 2022

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Marc Z

I believe this is based on a book. It is very well done. The sad story of the waning years of Laurel & Hardy is hard to watch at times because it is so sad. The acting is the centerpiece and the costume and make ups. These guys do a phenomenal job convincing you they are the people they play. John C Reilly's sad and pathetic portrait of a of Ollie as an overweight gambler is stunning. I grew up on these movies and the recreations and costumes and sets; particularly, of The Way Out West are hypnotic. My big issue with the movie, because the morose tone-despite being a love story- is that they seem to show that these guys were very much like the characters they played in certain aspects of their lives. Maybe that's true, but o kind of felt like I was watching a movie within a movie at times.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

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Mark S

Loved every minute of it! 😍🥹🥲

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/24

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Mark S

Well acted and well produced. A magnificent story in reality and as shown.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

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Adam R

I am not a big fan of slapstick comedy and it's been a long time since I have seen any of the Laurel & Hardy movies. This, however, is much more of a film about lasting love and friendship. There are, of course, a lot of movies about those themes but Stan and Ollie, in my opinion, manage to stand out among them, which is why I think it deserves a high score. The story is told in a low tone, avoiding pathos while talking about universal feelings and approaching the silliness of the slapstick context in a way which allows the viewer to peer behind the curtain of the performance into the personal everyday life of the two comedians. Steve Coogan and John C.Reilly both recreate the life and work of the iconic characters with sincere devotion and I think that the British-American mix of cast and scenery plays here to the advantage of the movie. This film doesn't try to lecture, the actors don't dish out well-rounded maxims. Instead, it manages to gently touch on some very important matters of life. It's a feel-good story that avoids being banal and can even leave you feeling a little wiser and emotionally comforted. If that's your fancy, check it out yourself...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Georgan G

Absolutely amazing job of looking, body language, & dialogue for the real Stan & Ollie. So perfect that it is difficult to tell the real Stan & Ollie from the actors! The film transports you to the last stage of their lives. It's heartbreaking but warm & loving.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/23

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R B

Some top notch performances. Compared to most Hollywood biopics, this one was thin on scandals.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

Full Review

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Jon S. Baird

Director

Steve Coogan

Stan Laurel

John C. Reilly

Oliver Hardy

Shirley Henderson

Lucille Hardy

Nina Arianda

Ida Kitaeva Laurel

Rufus Jones

Bernard Delfont

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Stan & Ollie: Trailer 2

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Stan & Ollie: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Laurel and Hardy -- the world's greatest comedy team -- face an uncertain future as their golden era of Hollywood films remain long behind them. Diminished by age, the duo set out to reconnect with their adoring fans by touring variety halls in Britain in 1953. The shows become an instant hit, but Stan and Ollie can't quite shake the past as long-buried tension and Hardy's failing health start to threaten their precious partnership.

Director: Jon S. Baird
Producer: Faye Ward
Screenwriter: Jeff Pope
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Baby Cow Films, Sonesta Films, Entertainment One, Fable Pictures
Rating: PG (Some Language|Smoking)
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 25, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 26, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.5M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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