Laurel and Hardy are perhaps the two most beloved television comedy duo in American and British history.
Who is better to bring these famous comedians to life on the big screen? John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan brought Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy to life in the biopic Stan & Ollie.
The pair blended the mannerism, acts and even the prosthetics to make themselves unrecognizable as Laurel and Hardy.
Stan & Ollie follows the great comedy team with a physical tour of Britain in 1953 as their golden era as the kings of Hollywood comedy now behind them and face an uncertain future. As they start crisscrossing the country, attendances are disappointingly low. But they’ve always been able to make each other laugh and as the charm and beauty of their performances shines through their audiences laugh too, and they reconnect with their adoring fans. The tour becomes a hit, but Stan and Ollie can’t quite shake the specter of Laurel and Hardy’s past—the long buried ghosts, coupled with Oliver’s failing health—start to threaten their previous relationship. A portrait of the most tender and poignant creative marriages begins to unfold as the duo, aware that they may be approaching their swan song, try to rediscover just how much they mean to each other.
The film also stars Nina Arianda, Shirley Henderson, Danny Huston and Rufus Jones. It is directed by Jon S. Baird and written by Jeff Pope.
Stan & Ollie is currently playing in theaters.