Jan 12th  
Stan and Ollie***  (PG)     
(Century Clacton)

(GB 2018)                 

Laurel and Hardy struggle in their advancing years on stage in Britain through ill health and production squabbling, but soldier on for one last bow.
While it takes its minor detours historically (with Hal Roach in particular the fall guy), this skilfully -and sometimes wordily - scripted but loving account of the Boys on tour hits just the right note mixing simultaneous drama with comedy (including even some bonus routines), with strong production and two actors as good as we're going to get at emulating the real Laurel and Hardy (who appear at the end in their soft shoe shuffle dance from Way Out West.)

Written by: Jeff Pope, based on the book "Laurel and Hardy: The British Tours" by A.J. Marriott.
Producer: Faye Ward.
Director: Jon S. Baird.
Starring: Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly, Shirley Henderson, Nina Arianda, Danny Huston (as Hal Roach), Rufus Jones (as Bernard Delfont).
Photography: Laurie Rose.
Music: Rolfe Kent.
Make-up: Mark Coulier.

Leonard Maltin review