Icons that Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were, their works often represented a lighter, gentler variety of the same gags, physical humor, situational comedy, and clever dialogue as contemporaries like Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, or The Three Stooges. Not all their films were necessarily equal, but in the very least a viewer can generally be assured of getting warm smiles if not hearty laughs. 'Nothing but trouble,' a title from the latter days of the duo's cinematic stardom, definitely falls on the softer side of the spectrum. It's amusing, but only much more infrequently does it elicit the desired reactions; there are also times when tinges of an unfavorable mean streak rear their head. It remains an enjoyable classic, though compared to the likes of 'Saps at sea' or 'Pack up your troubles' simply doesn't stand as tall.
Be it a question of the writing or, more likely, Sam Taylor's direction, there are also instances when the pacing and comedic timing is slightly too lax. Between that and how comparatively few the laughs are, I wonder if at times the humor doesn't come off as altogether forced. Still, the heart of the pair's movies was in the chemistry that Laurel and Hardy shared, and even at their weakest moments the dynamics between the two are a reliable constant. At its best this is still wonderfully fun, with the greatest strength coming in the second half, and one just wishes that the material itself boasted more vitality.
In this instance I don't think the supporting cast stands out as much, though by all means they do their job to help bring the picture to life. Those behind the scenes still turned in fine work, including the sets and costume design not least. Overall the feature remains better than not, and worth checking out - but I don't think there's much arguing that it's a lesser creation from the legends, and one that's less noteworthy among their oeuvre. Leave this as something light to watch on a quiet day, and that may be the best means of appreciating the less robust entertainment it offers. Don't go out of your way for 'Nothing but trouble,' and there are other titles from Laurel and Hardy that you should prioritize, but one way or another this is duly deserving.
Be it a question of the writing or, more likely, Sam Taylor's direction, there are also instances when the pacing and comedic timing is slightly too lax. Between that and how comparatively few the laughs are, I wonder if at times the humor doesn't come off as altogether forced. Still, the heart of the pair's movies was in the chemistry that Laurel and Hardy shared, and even at their weakest moments the dynamics between the two are a reliable constant. At its best this is still wonderfully fun, with the greatest strength coming in the second half, and one just wishes that the material itself boasted more vitality.
In this instance I don't think the supporting cast stands out as much, though by all means they do their job to help bring the picture to life. Those behind the scenes still turned in fine work, including the sets and costume design not least. Overall the feature remains better than not, and worth checking out - but I don't think there's much arguing that it's a lesser creation from the legends, and one that's less noteworthy among their oeuvre. Leave this as something light to watch on a quiet day, and that may be the best means of appreciating the less robust entertainment it offers. Don't go out of your way for 'Nothing but trouble,' and there are other titles from Laurel and Hardy that you should prioritize, but one way or another this is duly deserving.