Plot Summary:
Stan & Ollie follows the lives of legendary comedians Laurel & Hardy, popular for their slapstick humor in the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. As this aging duo set out on a British tour in 1953 (many years after this golden era), they will have to overcome their past to realize just how much they mean to each other.
Other Reasons to Watch:
- Short & Sweet: With a 1 hour 38 minute runtime, this is not a substantial investment of time but is, nonetheless, emotionally satisfying
- Honest: I feel that Stan & Ollie does a terrific job portraying people as they actually are: imperfect. They make mistakes, hold grudges, have personality conflicts, and say things they regret. In spite of these imperfections, their love for each other and genuine efforts to work on their friendship through the rollercoaster of their lives provide a remarkable example of our humanity.
- Historical Flavor: For those of us who didn't experience the vaudeville era personally, it gives us enough of a taste to appreciate a different style of comedy that, while uncommon today, is still humorous and relevant in its wholesome simplicity.
- Not Flashy or Explosive: While this is a great little film, it has largely flown under the radar of the general public who only enjoy explosions, superheroes, and fast cars (there is nothing wrong with those movies, but this is not one of those). On the other hand, this is a film for everyone who is willing to step outside of their comfortable moviegoing wheelhouse to try an uplifting and thought-provoking film instead.
