I found this made-for-tv biopic somewhat of a let-down. While not exactly a Martin and Lewis fan, I can appreciate the chemistry between them, and the unfettered physical comedy of Lewis. I didn't really see it here. Everything seemed so labored. Another problem, admittedly not of the movie's doing, is that it's so hard to do convincing re-creations of their routines when they are still so visible on film. Such re-creations pale in comparison to the real thing, and unfortunately, they made up 75% of this film. In spite of opinions to the contrary, I think it would have been best to concentrate on the private lives and behind-the-scenes machinations of the team instead of making them obligatory backstory. If we cut through the nostalgic haze, "Martin and Lewis" can be seen for what it is--a poor attempt to bring back an example of the Golden Age of Comedy, to a medium where good comedy, slapstick or otherwise, is in such short supply.
Review of Martin and Lewis
