This movie is based on the end of Laurel and Hardy's career together, after their period of separation and now they are on the ebbing end of their time together. Stan is played by Steve Coogan and Ollie by John C. Reilly. I think it is truly a shame that this film did not get nominated in the Best Make Up category because it was astounding.
The era of vaudeville is coming to an end. Their popularity is waning and so is Ollie, physically. There is at the center of their tension with each other the fact that Ollie betrayed Stan by doing their act with someone else for a time. Ollie had a lot of financial obligations from a number of failed marriages, while Stan was better with his money and less of a disaster at marriage, and that plus the tension between their wives is pretty much the only plot line besides what is happening to them professionally.
Some have commented that it is too bad that they didn't go earlier, when they were at their peak, but I disagree. Their talent is still on display, but all good things come to an end, and in a lot of ways that is the more interesting story. Well worth watching.
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