Eric and Ernie (4 Stars)

A fascinating biopic about the early years of Britain's best ever comedy duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Although I know and love their comedy shows, having grown up with them, the information I discovered in this film was all new to me.

Ernie was born in 1925 and became a child star, performing song and dance routines on stage from the age of 6. For reasons not stated in the film his parents simply handed him over to a theatrical agent and had almost nothing else to do with him. Over the years he slowly added comedy to his act. When he was 13 he met Eric, and together they put on comedy shows in which dancing played only a minor part. They had great success and became national celebrities in the 1940's. During this time they were managed by Eric's mother, who the film portrays as a tyrant who practically bullied Eric into becoming a star. "You're not intelligent, and the only thing you're good at is making a fool of yourself on stage, so get out and do it".

In 1954 they had a major setback when their first television series flopped, due to the fact that they weren't allowed to write their own material. After this they took some time off before deciding to make a comeback, learning from their mistakes and only using their own jokes.

I love this film after seeing it on television, and I definitely want to watch it again. The actors who play Eric and Ernie (three each at different ages) are well chosen, especially Daniel Rigby who plays the older Eric Morecambe. His appearance and mannerisms are so perfect that I almost believed I was watching the real Eric.

My only criticism about the film is that it wasn't enough. It ended too soon, stopping at the end of the 1950's. I would like to see a film of their whole life, including the background stories of their major television and film successes until Eric's death in 1984. Their tv shows have recently been released on DVD, and they will be remembered forever.