Stan & Ollie is a good movie with great performances, but is held back from greatness. This movie is about Laurel and Hardy, the world-famous comedy duo, who attempt to reignite their film careers as they embark on a Brittish theater tour. John C. Reilly gives a great performance. He is absolutely delightful to watch and you really feel for his character. Steve Coogan gives a really good performance. His dynamic with Reilly is the heart of the movie and they are a delight to watch together. Shirley Henderson and Nina Arianda give fine performances playing Laurel and Hardy's wives but I hated their characters so much. Danny Huston gives a decent performance in a small supporting role. Jon S. Barid did a great job directing. It looks like an old movie and feels like a tribute to old Hollywood. At 98 minutes the pacing is a mixed bag. I loved the first 40 minutes. They were hilarious and charming to watch and it felt like a love letter to Hollywood. The second half got way more serious when the wife characters showed up and were given nothing to do but nag their husbands non-stop. If it were not for Reilly and Coogan's chemistry still being there, the second half would have been unwatchable. Overall, Stan & Ollie is a good movie with two great lead performances, just be prepared for the significant step down in quality in the second half.
6/10
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