Steve Coogan

Stan & Ollie: Hollywood's greatest comedy double act

Hollywood has a magical roll call of hilarious double acts... Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. But the greatest of all was the inimitable pairing of Laurel and Hardy, who appeared in dozens of films together as the kings of slapstick comedy.

Review: Stan & Ollie

This is an adorable film, sweetly melancholic, bathed in the golden (syrupy) light of a tender friendship. It will surely be a shoo-in for Christmas or Boxing Day TV for years to come.

Steve Coogan and John C Reilly are perfectly cast as Laurel & Hardy in Jon S Baird's late-years biopic Stan & Ollie, a gentle, melancholic look at the beloved duo long after they've fallen out of favour in Hollywood. Catching up with them as they're reduced to undertaking what seems like a humiliating British tour of regional music halls in 1953, the film explores the complexities of their partnership and the blurring of their on- and off-screen personas as an indifferent-at-first public start turning up in droves to see them. What's good about Baird's film is that it doesn't use their reignited popularity to deliver a bogus triumphalist message; it's more interested in pulling the curtain back on the ephemeral nature of stardom to reveal the fine mess talented performers can get themselves into as they try to negotiate its pitfalls.

Stan & Ollie review

The actors' performances are full of love for their characters.

Review: Stan & Ollie

Stan & Ollie is an incredibly satisfying historical and biographical drama, encapsulating the core tenets of not only what the duo meant to each other, but also what their work means to their fans and the future generations that have grown up either around - or aware of - their movies. Baird's film can ultimately be labelled a cast-iron success, thanks mainly to the fabulous performances of his two main protagonists and their supporting cast.

Stan and Ollie review

Classic comic genius brought to life in modern-day screen story.

Stan & Ollie review

Combining astonishing, almost metamorphic performances with a lighthearted yet powerful script and confident, polished direction, Stan & Ollie serves not only as an emotional and enlightening biopic, but equally as an insightful and hilarious reminder of Laurel and Hardy's success and talent.

Steve Coogan on Stan & Ollie

Director Jon Baird joins the stars of Laurel and Hardy biopic to discuss the legends behind the affectionate tale.

Steve Coogan: Maybe I've just got flabby & middle-aged

Why has one of Britain's best-loved comedians decided to play it straight? The star of Stan & Ollie talks about politics, his rivalry with Rob Brydon - and his inner Alan Partridge.

Steve Coogan and John Reilly on playing Laurel & Hardy

Laurel and Hardy - one of the most prolific comedy acts in film history - is the subject of a new movie which looks at their tour of British variety halls in the 1950s. The film stars Steve Coogan and John C Reilly. BBC Talking Movies' Tom Brook went to meet them.