Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly do competent work bringing two old friends back to memory while re-enacting a couple of their more famous routines. This BBC production highlight is in its restraint, delivering a melancholy postcard, as it were, from the old team, and sort of a final farewell, wrapped in the fact that London proved their final performance together. One especially nice touch is in how the two clowns lean on their practised routines when not exactly on the stage or in front of a camera. Recommended.

This sweetly nostalgic film looks back at the friendly and fractious relationship between classic comedy partners Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly), the top comedy duo for decades. Flash forward to 1957 and they're older and touring England to regain enough relevancy to scrap together a movie deal. It's a delight to watch both actors just perform as the famous comedians and they cannily turn any opportunity into a recitation of a physical comedy bit. At its heart, the film is about the close relationship of the two men, what pushed them apart, and what brings them back together. It's a very undemanding movie that is very nice, populated with nice people doing nice things for one another, bowled over by the sincere power of humor. Coogan and Reilly (in a very big fat suit) give honest performances rather than impressions. I never knew Laurel was so instrumental in developing their material, and he continued writing Laurel and Hardy material long after his partner died. The movie glides along on its good feelings and historical recreations, settling into a nostalgic sweet spot that isn't too far into maudlin but interesting enough to justify the trip. If you're a fan of Old Hollywood magic and Laurel and Hardy, then Stan & Ollie is a dream. Nate's Grade: B