--- title: "Stan & Ollie" year: 2018 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/stan-and-ollie" fi1m_id: "stan-and-ollie" imdb_id: "tt3385524" tmdb_id: 394741 wikidata_id: "Q28434512" fi1m_score: 77 critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 26 published: "2026-10-03T00:36:50.789834+00:00" updated: "2026-10-03T00:37:16.727321+00:00" region: "SK" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Stan & Ollie (2018) Directed by Jon S. Baird · 1h 38m · Comedy, Drama ## Identity Stan & Ollie - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/stan-and-ollie - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** stan-and-ollie - **IMDb ID:** tt3385524 - **TMDB ID:** 394741 - **Wikidata ID:** Q28434512 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3385524/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/394741, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28434512 **Fi1m score: 77** · Critics 73 from 26 reviews *In a sentence:* Laurel and Hardy can still get a laugh, even with a biographical drama politely waiting for them to finish > Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly make this gentle portrait of Laurel and Hardy worth an evening. The routines are carefully judged and the affection persuasive, though the drama is often too tidy. ## Synopsis Stanley “Stan” Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver “Ollie” Hardy (John C. Reilly) begin at the height of their fame, an established comedy partnership with routines built around each other’s timing. The story moves on to their professional decline, when keeping the double act together involves more than getting the next laugh. Stan wants their work to continue, but the friendship has its own difficulties, away from an audience. Lucille Hardy (Shirley Henderson) and Ida Kitaeva Laurel (Nina Arianda), their wives, have their own relationship to negotiate as the men try to keep performing together. ## Review Jon S. Baird’s *Stan & Ollie* is a good, modest film about the difficulty of carrying on with someone who knows all your habits. It is funny in the recreated routines and affecting when the performers have to negotiate the less manageable business of being friends. The screenplay by Jeff Pope takes the partnership’s decline as its subject, giving Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly room to suggest years of affection and accumulated irritation. The dramatic route is familiar enough that we sometimes wish the film would stop arranging the next difficulty and let them work. The accuracy of the performances matters, but the pleasure comes from watching two actors attend so closely to one another. Steve Coogan makes Stan’s comic timing seem both deliberate and unforced, with the pauses doing as much work as the jokes. John C. Reilly gives Ollie’s exasperation enough affection to keep it from hardening into dislike. Their recreated stage routines work because each response belongs to the other man, allowing us to watch an exchange develop without becoming preoccupied with the resemblance. We were moved more than we expected by John C. Reilly’s sighs and grunts, which make the effort of keeping things agreeable painfully audible. He can suggest disappointment without requiring a speech to explain it. The friendship feels most convincing in those small responses, when years spent together seem to make direct conversation unnecessary. The film is less secure when it spells out feelings the performances have already made clear. Shirley Henderson, as Lucille Hardy, and Nina Arianda, as Ida Kitaeva Laurel, prevent the tenderness from becoming too comfortable. Their prickly rapport supplies a different sort of comic rhythm, with less obligation to smooth over every irritation. They make it possible to enjoy the men while noticing how much patience being close to them might require. There are stretches when the wives seem capable of sustaining a film of their own, and we would happily have given them more of this one. Laurie Rose’s opening tracking shot supplies a welcome sense of movement, following the pair at the height of their fame without treating them as exhibits. That ease suits the comedy, which needs room for both performers to register. John Paul Kelly’s production design is handsome but a little too reassuring; the surroundings feel carefully preserved even when the story wants us to feel the wear of a working life. The neatness is pleasing to look at and occasionally keeps the disappointments at a distance. Billy Sneddon and Úna Ní Dhonghaíle keep the exchanges clear, though the larger shifts between amusement and sadness can feel dutiful. Rolfe Kent’s music has much the same weakness: its warmth is welcome until it starts encouraging a response the actors have already earned. Jeff Pope’s writing is sympathetic to the partnership, but its dramatic developments are too readily anticipated. None of this ruins the film; it does limit how often we feel surprised by people who could presumably still surprise each other. At 98 minutes, *Stan & Ollie* avoids the biographical film’s temptation to account for an entire life, and its narrow focus is sensible. There is room for more friction, but the actors make the affection worth accepting. Watch it with someone whose small habits have been annoying you for years. *Fi1m score 77, published 3 October 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics find Stan & Ollie an affectionate, moving portrait of a working friendship, with praise concentrated on Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly. Their recreations of Laurel and Hardy’s routines impress, but the tenderness between performances matters just as much to the warmer reviews. Shirley Henderson and Nina Arianda also earn praise for giving the wives character and comic bite. The prevailing view is that the acting makes a familiar biographical story worth watching. The spread is wide, with sentiment and dramatic restraint dividing the reviews. Admirers find the film touching without becoming sugary; others consider it genteel, predictable or short of insight. IndieWire praises the leads but finds the story sentimental and forgettable. Little White Lies offers the clearest dissent from the praise for the central pairing, arguing that the impersonations miss the duo’s comic chemistry and finding the wives more rewarding company. ## Straight answers **Is Stan & Ollie worth watching?** *Stan & Ollie* is worth watching for its carefully judged comedy and affectionate performances from Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly; we scored it 77. We find the friendship moving, particularly in Reilly’s small signs of disappointment, though the tidy, predictable drama makes this better suited to a gentle evening than anyone seeking a searching biography. **How long is Stan & Ollie, and what is it rated?** *Stan & Ollie* runs 1h 38m. It is a comedy and drama film. **Where can I watch Stan & Ollie in Slovakia?** *Stan & Ollie* is not on any streaming or rental service in Slovakia at the moment. It is available in 28 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily. **How does Stan & Ollie compare to The Dresser?** *Stan & Ollie* is our choice for recreated comedy routines and gentle warmth, while [*The Dresser*](https://film.one/film/the-dresser) offers a more stage-bound portrait of a demanding working partnership. Both depend on actors responding closely to each other; we recommend the former for its affectionate account of friendship, and the latter for viewers happy to let Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay’s performances carry the film. ### Reviews we read (26) - **Evening Standard**, Matthew Norman (5/5): Norman calls the biopic glorious and praises its affectionate, moving portrayal of Laurel and Hardy. He singles out Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly for remarkably convincing performances. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/stan-ollie-review-well-heres-a-rather-fine-film-youve-gotten-us-into-a4036186.html) - **Radio Times**, Andrew Collins (5/5): The review is strongly positive about the affectionate, precise direction. It especially praises the opening tracking shot capturing the duo at the height of their fame. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-3x9pqt/stan-ollie/) - **Empire**, Olly Richards (85/100, inferred): Richards finds the film a warm, funny tribute to Laurel and Hardy that celebrates them without idealizing them. He especially praises Coogan and Reilly’s performances and their pitch-perfect onstage impressions. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/stan-ollie-review/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Gary Goldstein (85/100, inferred): Goldstein finds the film moving and delightful, praising its writing and performances. He especially singles out Coogan and Reilly’s affectionate portrayals and their sharp comic timing. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-stan-and-ollie-review-20181227-story.html) - **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (4/5): The review calls the biopic a delight. It singles out Steve Coogan’s inspired performance as Laurel and Hardy’s classic comedy partnership is brought to life. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/stan-ollie) - **Total Film**, Matt Glasby (4/5): Glasby finds the film gently joyous and emotionally affecting. He praises Coogan and Reilly’s performances and their beautifully played comic routines. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/stan-and-ollie-review/) - **IndieWire**, Eric Kohn (B): Kohn finds the film agreeable but forgettable, with a sentimental story that lacks ingenuity. He praises the convincing performances by John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan as Laurel and Hardy. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/stan-ollie-review-john-c-reilly-steve-coogan-1202013836/) - **Variety**, Guy Lodge (76/100, inferred): Lodge finds the film a moving, affectionate, and quietly engaging tribute, though its everyday slapstick occasionally falters. He especially praises Reilly and Coogan’s performances and the lively chemistry between the supporting cast. [Read](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/london-film-review-stan-ollie-1202987632/) - **Sight and Sound**, BFI (75/100, inferred): The critic finds it a wistful, perfectly judged tribute to friendship and the restorative power of laughter. They praise Coogan and Reilly’s performances, especially their convincing recreations of Laurel and Hardy’s routines. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/stan-ollie-review-steve-coogan-john-c-reilly-rekindle-limelight) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (75/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film warm, sincere and sweet, though its pleasures are simple and it only occasionally provokes big laughs. He especially praises Coogan and Reilly’s convincing performances and recreation of Laurel and Hardy’s comic routines. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/stan-ollie-review-1153668/) - **Vulture**, Emily Yoshida (70/100, inferred): Yoshida finds the film synthetic and overly sunny, but ultimately sweet and moving about a long-term working relationship. She especially praises the sympathetic, spiky relationship between Laurel and Hardy’s wives, played by Nina Arianda and Shirley Henderson. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/stan-and-ollie-review.html) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (65/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film sweet and sad, with a muted charm, though occasionally underpowered and genteel. He especially praises Coogan and Reilly’s brilliant, closely observed impersonations of Laurel and Hardy. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/21/stan-and-ollie-review-laurel-and-hardy-steve-coogan-john-c-reilly) - **Screen Daily**, Demetrios Matheou (64/100, inferred): The review’s verdict cannot be determined because the article body is hidden behind a paywall. No specific element of praise or complaint is visible in the available text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/stan-and-ollie-london-review/5133807.article) - **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be confirmed. No praise or complaint from the critic is available to identify. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/27/movies/stan-and-ollie-review.html) - **The AV Club**, Mike D'Angelo (C+): The critic finds the film watchable but unexceptional, with little new insight into Laurel and Hardy’s difficulties. Reilly and Coogan’s performances, especially their recreation of the duo’s comedy routines, are singled out as its main attraction. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/reilly-coogan-make-a-good-laurel-hardy-in-the-other-1831204151) - **Slant Magazine**, Chuck Bowen (2.5/4): Bowen finds the film’s restraint both a strength and a liability, leaving its portrait of Laurel and Hardy’s decline dramatically limited. He praises the graceful, finely balanced performances of Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly, especially their portrayal of the pair’s devoted friendship. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/stan-and-ollie/) - **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (45/100, inferred): Lane finds the film’s twilight portrait of Laurel and Hardy thin and unable to uncover much beneath their partnership’s familiar appeal. He praises Coogan and Reilly’s careful, affecting performances, especially Reilly’s expressive sighs and grunts. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/07/stan-and-ollie-explores-the-slapstick-pairs-plaintive-dusk) - **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/2/2): Jenkins finds the biopic unfunny and argues its impersonations fail to capture Laurel and Hardy’s comic chemistry. He praises Shirley Henderson and Nina Arianda, whose performances as the wives are the film’s strongest elements. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/stan-and-ollie) - **Film Stories**, Charlotte Harrison (90/100, inferred): Harrison finds the film insightful, beautiful and moving without becoming saccharine. She especially praises Coogan and Reilly’s performances and the tender, believable moments between them. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/reviews/stan-ollie-review/) - **HeyUGuys** (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the film charming, touching and beautifully paced. Coogan’s comic performance and Laurie Rose’s cinematography stand out for praise. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/stan-ollie-review/) - **NME** (85/100, inferred): The review warmly praises the film as a lovingly crafted celebration of Laurel and Hardy’s friendship. It singles out Coogan and Reilly’s performances, especially their emotional tenderness beneath the comedy. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/stan-ollie-film-review-2429486) - **The Wrap** (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the film funny and moving, praising how it avoids sentimentalizing its subjects. Coogan and Reilly’s performances are singled out for bringing Laurel and Hardy convincingly to life on and offstage. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/stan-ollie-film-review-steve-coogan-john-c-reilly-capture-laurel-hardy-onstage-and-off/) - **Den of Geek**, Andrew Husband (4/5): The review finds the biopic predictable but ultimately successful because of its performances. It especially praises Coogan and Reilly for convincingly capturing Laurel and Hardy, while also singling out Shirley Henderson and Nina Arianda. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/stan-ollie-review/) - **/Film**, Chris Evangelista (7 out of 10): The critic finds the film ultimately successful and moving, despite its predictable story and subdued execution. Coogan and Reilly’s lively, convincing performances and chemistry are its chief strengths. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/563238/stan-and-ollie-review/) - **The Playlist** (64/100, inferred): The page appears to be an LFF review, but its verdict cannot be verified. Crawler protection blocks the article, so no specific praise or criticism is available. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/stan-ollie-lff-review-20181021/) - **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (45/100, inferred): The review finds the film’s tone and harmony uneven, though it says the leads give the story heart. It singles out Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly’s performances for praise. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/stan-ollie-2018-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## Details - **Director:** Jon S. Baird - **Director:** Jon S. Baird - **Writer:** Jeff Pope - **Cinematography:** Laurie Rose - **Editor:** Úna Ní Dhonghaíle, Billy Sneddon - **Music:** Rolfe Kent - **Production design:** John Paul Kelly - **Costume design:** Guy Speranza - **Producer:** Faye Ward - **Cast:** Steve Coogan as Stanley "Stan" Laurel; John C. Reilly as Oliver "Ollie" Hardy; Shirley Henderson as Lucille Hardy; Nina Arianda as Ida Kitaeva Laurel; Rufus Jones as Bernard Delfont; Danny Huston as Hal Roach; Joseph Balderrama as James W. Horne; John Henshaw as Nobby Cook - **Runtime:** 1h 38m - **First release (the UK):** 21 October 2018 - **Genres:** Comedy, Drama - **Budget:** $10 million - **Box office:** $24 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2zdFwgUYBg ## Where to watch in Slovakia Not streaming, renting or buying in Slovakia at the last check. Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, HU, IE, IT, MX, NO, NZ, PA, PL, SE, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Limelight* (1952): An ageing comedian finds reasons to carry on beyond the applause. - *The Dresser* (1983), Fi1m 80: Another working partnership in which affection has to accommodate some exhausting behaviour. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-dresser.md) - *Good Morning* (1959): Patient comic timing and domestic irritations, observed with affection and little fuss. - *The Band's Visit* (2007): A quieter comedy of awkward company, unexpected kindness and people listening badly. - *The Trip* (2010): Two performers trade impressions while carefully avoiding what is bothering them. --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/stan-and-ollie