Stan & Ollie

PG

Released Jan 25, 2019

1 hr. 37 min.

Biography

Comedy

Drama

History

TRAILER

for Stan & Ollie: Trailer 2

List

93%

224 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Feb 06

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Stan & Ollie on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

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

Ian W

Not as blown away as the critics. I have a bit of an aversion to "films about films", "films about Hollywood", and "films about actors". This was well done though. Amazing how quickly Laurel and Hardy fell from fame. Had me rooting for them on their UK come-back tour to initially half empty theatres. Steve Coogan (when he's not Alan Patridge, ahaaa) gets on my nerves, but he was OK in this.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/01/23

Full Review

isla s

This is a bittersweet watch - although it is also very funny at times, of course, as well. It follows the famous duo towards the end of their career, when they returned to the UK to embark on a tour of British theatres to perform for the loving crowds. I was very much impressed by the characterisation of both Stan and Ollie by Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly. Its quite an engrossing watch and it seemed quite well shot. There is inevitably an element of artificiality present, due to the plot and if your aware of the story of these two comedy Gods, then you'll know quite well what this ensues (I won't specify for fear of providing unnecessary spoilers incase your not aware of it), hence why I say its bittersweet. I like how it was shot, seeing the two men talk casually behind the scenes and I found myself wondering what I may do if I were to be in their shoes and how differernt things may be for people who were quite as famous nowadays, compared to back when this is set (the early 1950s). It was fun seeing them perform some of their more famous jokes/elements from their earlier works, including singing the song 'Trail of the Lonesome Pine'. Its a funny and a sad film, both apply. I looked forward to seeing this and it didn't disappoint, I suppose I just wished the story could have been a bit more jolly and a little less sobering but then if it were then it wouldn't be true to Stan Laurel or Oliver Hardy. As a historic comedy biopic, this is a good one, which is worth a watch, just know its not choc full of laughs but of course there are many hours worth of Laurel & Hardy shorts and films if we want that.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really enjoyed this look inside the lives of this dynamic comedy duo that still stands the test of time today. I would have enjoyed a bigger look at the front end of their career as this one focuses on the tail end of their career as we get a look at them on & off the screen to see the friendship they had together despite being very different people off screen. I thought Steve Coogen & John C Reilly did an excellent job of portraying these two Hollywood legends. I think what amazed me most was that despite all their fame & having done over 104 movies in their career, that they still struggled financially to make ends meet and for people to remember who they were with their comedic brilliance that still stands out today. I would have loved to see a live performance of them in their time

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

64%

71%

Goodbye Christopher Robin

TRAILER

for Goodbye Christopher Robin

49%

54%

Churchill

TRAILER

for Churchill

48%

67%

Cantinflas

67%

69%

Tommy's Honour

TRAILER

for Tommy's Honour

73%

80%

Woodlawn

TRAILER

for Woodlawn

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

BAFTA Winners 2019: The Full List

The Kid Who Would Be King Is a Fun, Family-Friendly Fantasy

Holmes & Watson Is a Clueless Comedy

Stan & Ollie: Trailer 2

2:15

Stan & Ollie: Trailer 1

2:24

View more videos

View more photos

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

I’m not sure if any movie biopic has captured its subject(s) as authentically as “Stan & Ollie”. Fans of the pair will find the similarities uncanny.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
Executive Producer: Xavier Marchand, Kate Fasulo, Joe Oppenheimer, Nichola Martin, Jeff Pope, Eugenio Perez, Gabrielle Tana, Christine Langan
Screenwriter: Jeff Pope
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Sonesta Films, Entertainment One, Fable Pictures, Baby Cow Films
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
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now