Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were comedic geniuses, individually and together, and their partnership was deservedly iconic and one of the best there was. They left behind a large body of work, a vast majority of it being entertaining to classic comedy, at their best they were hilarious and their best efforts were great examples of how to do comedy without being juvenile or distasteful.
Didn't find 'Our Relations' one of the duo's best, they have done better short and feature films. In a filmography that was mostly solid to classic (only '45 Minutes from Hollywood' misfired for me, and 'The Bohemian Girl' was a mixed bag, but that was very early on when their partnership and style hadn't formed or evolved and when Hardy especially was not being used well), nonetheless it is still good and has much of what makes Laurel and Hardy's work as appealing as it is.
'Our Relations' story is a little convoluted and over-stuffed, with a little too much going on, and at times too reliant on coincidence.
Also found it a bit of a slow-starter with a draggy first third where there is a little too much talk for my liking. The pier scene is somewhat sloppily edited.
However, 'Our Relations' is nonetheless very funny, like towards the end and in the bar. It is rarely dull, going at a snappy pace, and there is energy in the slapstick and sly wit, silly and typical of the duo but in an endearing and entertaining way. The second half is much better, livelier in pace and chockfull of beautifully timed gags and wit.
Both Laurel and Hardy are on top form, especially Laurel (such as towards the end). They are equally funny with impeccable comic timing physically and verbally, this is not a case of one being funnier and having more screen time than the other (in their early efforts Laurel tended to be funnier and better used). Their chemistry is legendary for a reason and it is obvious here. The supporting cast are up to their level, especially James Finlayson (well used) and Alan Hale, who has some funny lines.
In conclusion, not one of the duo's best overall but among the mid-better end when it comes to their feature films. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Didn't find 'Our Relations' one of the duo's best, they have done better short and feature films. In a filmography that was mostly solid to classic (only '45 Minutes from Hollywood' misfired for me, and 'The Bohemian Girl' was a mixed bag, but that was very early on when their partnership and style hadn't formed or evolved and when Hardy especially was not being used well), nonetheless it is still good and has much of what makes Laurel and Hardy's work as appealing as it is.
'Our Relations' story is a little convoluted and over-stuffed, with a little too much going on, and at times too reliant on coincidence.
Also found it a bit of a slow-starter with a draggy first third where there is a little too much talk for my liking. The pier scene is somewhat sloppily edited.
However, 'Our Relations' is nonetheless very funny, like towards the end and in the bar. It is rarely dull, going at a snappy pace, and there is energy in the slapstick and sly wit, silly and typical of the duo but in an endearing and entertaining way. The second half is much better, livelier in pace and chockfull of beautifully timed gags and wit.
Both Laurel and Hardy are on top form, especially Laurel (such as towards the end). They are equally funny with impeccable comic timing physically and verbally, this is not a case of one being funnier and having more screen time than the other (in their early efforts Laurel tended to be funnier and better used). Their chemistry is legendary for a reason and it is obvious here. The supporting cast are up to their level, especially James Finlayson (well used) and Alan Hale, who has some funny lines.
In conclusion, not one of the duo's best overall but among the mid-better end when it comes to their feature films. 7/10 Bethany Cox