249. Stanley - A Man Of Variety; movie review

STANLEY - A MAN OF VARIETY
Cert 15
83 mins
BBFC advice: Contains hanging scenes, discriminatory behaviour

My gran used to love the old comics - people like George Formby, Max Wall and Tony Hancock really made her giggle.
What they all had in common was they could reach out to working people like her and tickle their funny bones.
My gran could not read or write but the comedians of yesteryear didn't try to be too clever and made sure their gags did not go over the heads of their audiences.
I lay this context because it demonstrates why Timothy Spall and Stephen Cookson's Stanley - A Man Of Variety fails in my view
Cookson's movie is the big screen equivalent of a one-man show with the flimsiest of storylines providing the backdrop for Spall to impersonate some of the most famous comedians from the 1940s and 50s.
But the problem is that there are no funny lines - instead the reincarnations contribute, rather menacingly, to a grim tale about a prison inmate who wants to be released to visit his daughter's grave.
The subject sees his comedy heroes through hallucinations as questions are asked about his mental health.
Cookson says that he persuaded Spall to play Stanley by exemplifying the success of Tom Hardy's one-man film Locke.
I have to say that I thought this had much more in common with Hardy's mesmeric performance in Bronson during which he goes through many metamorphoses.
Stanley's surrealism is reminiscent of Bronson but, despite Spall demonstrating his admirable range, it is nowhere near as well constructed, in my opinion.
But I needed to see Bronson twice to understand its qualities. Perhaps the same might be true of Stanley.

Reasons to watch: A Timothy Spall showcase
Reasons to avoid: Its surrealism will be a very acquired taste

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 5.5/10

Director quote - Stephen Cookson: "“I hope people see this film. I hope it turns into something of a classic, you know – Locke has got other actors. Kind Hearts and Coronets has got other actors. This is different. This is Tim (Spall)’s first writing credit – it’s special.”

The big question - How did Barry from Auf Wiedersehen Pet become one of Britain's finest actors

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