Stan

It may be no masterpiece, but this poignant biopic is quite moving. In the recent wake of the Stan & Ollie movie, this take on the story of these two extraordinary gentlemen stands up pretty well. The final scene had me in stitches and tears. Watch it and then stick on some Laurel & Hardy.

I loved this film. It's exactly what's missing on British TV at the moment: drama of the highest quality. There was no ludicrous plot, smoke, mirrors, explosions or some ridiculous high concept. The drama simply relied on brilliant acting, a wonderful script and superb direction.

Oliver Hardy (the fat one, for those who get the two mixed up) lies ill in bed, hanging on to life after a major stroke. Stan Laurel (not the fat one) is a man suffering under the weight of his own demons. Reluctantly, he comes to visit his ailing best friend - knowing it to be the last time he will ever do so. Together they broach the highs and lows of their shared history and reveal the fascinating story of their friendship and career together.

Jim Norton, playing the older Stan, was a revelation - why is an actor of this quality not doing more leads in more films????? There was also a seamless movement between the two time periods that was not only visually effective but emotionally effective. Neil Brand fills the film with superb detail but it is his handle on the emotional journey that proves the most successful aspect of his writing. By the final scene, this isn't Laurel and Hardy saying farewell, this is simply two best friends saying goodbye. As their final moment together arrives, I even had a tear in my eye - and that's a rare thing for me and TV drama.

True - I could have done with more exteriors and it is odd that Hardy lives in the same house all his life - but I suspect this was a budget thing (I could be wrong, who knows but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt) - and their device of keeping all the memories 'in a studio' and was a brilliant way of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

BBC4 have recently come up trumps with this kind of drama - the Kenneth William's biopic was the last thing I saw on this channel which was also good - and long may they continue to do so. Just why aren't the people who make this kind of film not making more for the terrestrial wing of the BBC whose dramas often lack the inventiveness and originality of this kind of work?

Stan (2006)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Stan Laurel (Jim Norton) is at home watching some of his old movies when he gets a phone call that his former partner Oliver Hardy (Trevor Cooper) is on his death bed. Stan pays him a visit in this adaptation of the Neil Brand play.

STAN really is a very good little gem that fans of Laurel and Hardy should enjoy. I think some people might be disappointed to see how Laurel was but I guess we're at a point in time when we shouldn't expect our screen heroes to be perfect angles. With that being said, this is an extremely entertaining and touching look at the two legends.

I wasn't familiar with the play before watching this television movie but I did find it to be extremely moving and especially the final few moments. I really thought there was some nice humor throughout the picture and there's no question that both actors really nailed their parts. This was especially true for Norton. That role was a lot more challenging and there's no doubt that he nailed the human qualities of the role.

If you're a fan of Laurel and Hardy then you certainly need to watch this film. It clocks in just under a hour but it'll certainly make you want to watch the duo's films again.

I was genuinely excited to watch this, but as soon as old Stan opened his mouth, I knew it was doomed. Why wouldn't the actor at least get close to Stan's accent. At the very least, get young Stan and old Stan to have the same accent. To paint Stan Laurel as an angry man, and to suggest that there was ill feeling towards each other is such a wasted opportunity. Do not watch this if you are a Laurel and Hardy fan, as I am. Watch Stan and Ollie instead, a far better portrayal of the comic legends.

every now and then on British TV we still get the occasional perfect drama that reminds you how good writing and acting can click together so well. 'Conspiracy' was a classic example and watching Stan tonight has confirmed it. In fact, I only saw the last 20 minutes, from the scene in Hal Roache's office, but I knew instantly that I was watching something special. That economical dialogue in just one scene told me so much about the two main characters. The final scene was laughter and tears and a true analysis of a brotherly-friendship that can last a lifetime, literally to death. I'm going to wait up till 2am in the morning to watch the whole production. Only thing I don't understand - why isn't the actor who played 'young Stan' mentioned in the credits?