Film Preview: Stan & Ollie (2018)

Page Revisions:

(October 28, 2018) Original
(November 25, 2018) New Trailer (#2) / New Poster (#3)
(December 23, 2018) New Poster (#4)

Release Date:

December 28, 2018

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Laurel and Hardy, the world’s most famous comedy duo, attempt to reignite their film careers as they embark on what becomes their swan song – a grueling theatre tour of post-war Britain.”

Poster Rating: C- / C- / C+ / C-

SEE ALL POSTERS BELOW
Review: (#1) Lots of dull white space here with a suitable, but unexciting foreground image. (#2) Even more conspicuous blank space, which does draw one’s attention to the actors, but not in an appealing way.

(#3) This is a better simulation of what the audience is in for, though it still doesn’t have the pizzazz to make those not a fan of the golden age of comedy excited.

(#4) More of the white background and black-and-flat-gold lettering doesn’t embellish the work or the film.

Trailer Rating: B- / B-

SEE ALL TRAILERS BELOW
Review: (#1) It was a challenge to take familiarity with the original Laurel & Hardy comedy duo with what was on display here, but by the end of the trailer, there were enough promising elements presented that it could be far better than expected.

(#2) Selling a movie about Oliver & Hardy isn’t an easy task, especially in a world where their brand of Vaudevillian comedy hasn’t been actively practiced or celebrated by audiences in some years. The film is trying to appeal to people who aren’t already fans of the duo and that’s going to be a tall order when modern humor is so far removed from these comic giants.

Oscar Prospects:

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are two of the most iconic comedians in cinema and the story of their late lives could be Oscar fodder, especially for its stars.