Gary Oldman acclaimed for Prick Up Your Ears performance has become a landmark in cinematic history, with Roger Ebert praising Oldman as
“the best young British actor around”
after viewing the film. Oldman’s ability to transform, already evident in earlier roles, established him as a force in the industry when Prick Up Your Ears premiered, setting the stage for his celebrated career and solidifying the film’s significance for both audiences and actors.
Oldman’s Diverse Roles and Roger Ebert’s Praise
Gary Oldman is known worldwide for his remarkable versatility, having authentically embodied characters as varied as the vampire from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, and iconic fictional figures such as police officers and spies in films like Leon: The Professional and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. His breakthrough came even before these achievements, with roles that drew critical attention—including Sid Vicious in Sid & Nancy, a performance Roger Ebert had found moving. Yet, with Prick Up Your Ears, Ebert identified an even deeper transformation in Oldman, stating there was
“no point of similarity between the two performances,”
and emphasizing that Oldman was
“able to reinvent himself for every role.”
—Roger Ebert, Film Critic
This ability to embody disparate personalities made Oldman a standout in the following decade, as he delivered memorable turns in films like JFK and True Romance, expanding his influence in both American and British cinema. Oldman’s singular approach was not only noted by critics but would also inspire peers and a new generation of performers.
The Story Behind Prick Up Your Ears
In Prick Up Your Ears, Oldman steps into the shoes of Joe Orton, an influential playwright during the 1960s whose work challenged conventions and shocked the public. Orton’s early struggles—growing up in poverty and lacking formal education—are central to the film, showing how he rose to prominence after befriending Kenneth Halliwell, a fellow writer played by Alfred Molina. Their intense relationship would become both a source of inspiration and tragedy, as Halliwell’s growing jealousy paralleled Orton’s increasing success in the literary world.
The film carefully explores their dynamic, portraying both the toxicity and the inspiration that shaped their partnership. Orton thrived on challenging authority and societal norms, while Halliwell longed for acceptance, leading to emotional complexities that resonated with viewers. Prick Up Your Ears also highlights the discrimination Orton and Halliwell faced as outsiders, making explicit the impact of homophobia and social exclusion during this period.
Oldman’s performance offers insight into Orton’s creative process. Rather than following a typical narrative arc, the film invites viewers to observe moments of everyday life, reflecting the unpredictable and often chaotic inspiration behind Orton’s works. This approach brings authenticity, honoring Orton’s legacy as someone who refused to conform to expectations—both artistically and personally.
An Unconventional Structure for a Complex Life
Prick Up Your Ears distinguishes itself by avoiding the formulaic style of many biopics. Its structure moves between different periods, using literary agent Peggy Ramsay, portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave, as a framing device. Ramsay’s efforts to understand the circumstances of Orton’s death—and her discovery of his body after Kenneth Halliwell killed him—are interwoven with later scenes featuring the theater critic John Lahr, played by Wallace Shawn, as he researches Orton’s biography a decade later.
This dual perspective grounds the story in both the immediate personal tragedy and its subsequent interpretation, allowing viewers to connect with surrogate characters who are also outsiders to Orton’s personal circle. By revealing the consequences of the tragedy early in the film, Prick Up Your Ears employs dramatic tension, prompting the audience to anticipate the unfolding of real-life events with increasing poignancy.
The Cast and Their Portrayals
Alongside Oldman’s lauded turn as Joe Orton, Alfred Molina delivers a complex and layered performance as Kenneth Halliwell, capturing both support and resentment within the fraught partnership. Vanessa Redgrave’s role as Peggy Ramsay offers a bridge for audiences, detailing her challenge in piecing together the truth behind Orton’s life and untimely death. Wallace Shawn’s depiction of John Lahr furthers this exploration, presenting the search for meaning long after the tragedy.
Oldman’s approach stands out for its restraint; rather than morphing Orton into a myth, he renders the playwright’s quirks and contradictions without judgment, establishing depth and credibility. The nuanced performances from the supporting cast—Molina’s volatility, Redgrave’s empathy, and Shawn’s investigative curiosity—collectively enhance the storytelling and lend credibility to the film’s examination of genius, fame, and identity.
Legacy and Ongoing Influence
Prick Up Your Ears has maintained its relevance as both an innovative portrait of creative struggle and a touchstone in LGBTQ+ cinema. Over time, critics and those within the entertainment industry have continued to reference its impact on biographical storytelling and on perceptions of LGBTQ+ historical figures. The film’s willingness to tackle difficult subjects and to humanize individuals facing prejudice remains significant, influencing subsequent works that seek to capture similar complexity.
Importantly, the film’s success owes much to Oldman’s distinctive performance. As Roger Ebert summarized:
“the best young British actor around,”
and Oldman’s versatility became a model for other actors seeking to challenge typecasting and deliver exceptional, unpredictable characters. —Roger Ebert, Film Critic
Audiences and critics alike continue to revisit Prick Up Your Ears, drawn by its emotional honesty, its candid performances by Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, Vanessa Redgrave, and Wallace Shawn, and its sophisticated approach to biography and history. As discussions about film, artistry, and identity evolve, the movie’s influence endures—reminding viewers of the transformative power of cinema and the lasting imprint of extraordinary performances.
