PRICK UP YOUR EARS by Nigel Hare
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093776/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_70
Joe (John) Orton The highly acclaimed Leicester playwright is the center of this bio film. It is a witty romp through his relationship with Kenneth who ultimately brutally murders him before taking his own life. London may have been swinging at the time but being gay was still outlawed and this film takes you into that underworld lifestyle mostly in gentleman's urinals. Gary Oldman's performance as Joe is skillful but, for me, he is out shone by Alfred Molina as his 'friend'. Beginning the movie as a pompous, repressed mentor he becomes this tense, resentful bald man ignored by the creative world he believes he should be shining in. A highly entertaining film.
Joe (John) Orton The highly acclaimed Leicester playwright is the center of this bio film. It is a witty romp through his relationship with Kenneth who ultimately brutally murders him before taking his own life. London may have been swinging at the time but being gay was still outlawed and this film takes you into that underworld lifestyle mostly in gentleman's urinals. Gary Oldman's performance as Joe is skillful but, for me, he is out shone by Alfred Molina as his 'friend'. Beginning the movie as a pompous, repressed mentor he becomes this tense, resentful bald man ignored by the creative world he believes he should be shining in. A highly entertaining film.
PRICK UP YOUR EARS by Kudos
1st thing this must have been a brave film to put out in the late 80s, some today would still find the themes and scenes offensive, personally the only thing I find offensive was some of the wallpaper, which was truly shocking.
I knew nothing about Joe Orton, judging him on this film he was a selfish, egotistic and bloody minded in pursuit of his own fame and enjoyment...........at any cost, never a thought for the people he was treading on, ...
Halliwell is a far more interesting character, awkward and any confidence he had crushed by Joe, this is the film that launched Alfred Molina career and I can see why, the first time he is on screen you know you are in for a treat, describing what he has done that day.
It is pretty sordid in its tone, sometimes too much, some of the sex scenes could have been dropped to give more time to see the two main characters together and the end seemed rushed.........but guess most murders are rushed.
On a lighter side you can play a great game of “spot the 80s TV star”............
cheers Nigel, would never have watched it and glad I did, lifted a stone to reveal a world I knew nothing about, if you liked the darker elements of trainspotting then this is worth a go.
1st thing this must have been a brave film to put out in the late 80s, some today would still find the themes and scenes offensive, personally the only thing I find offensive was some of the wallpaper, which was truly shocking.
I knew nothing about Joe Orton, judging him on this film he was a selfish, egotistic and bloody minded in pursuit of his own fame and enjoyment...........at any cost, never a thought for the people he was treading on, ...
Halliwell is a far more interesting character, awkward and any confidence he had crushed by Joe, this is the film that launched Alfred Molina career and I can see why, the first time he is on screen you know you are in for a treat, describing what he has done that day.
It is pretty sordid in its tone, sometimes too much, some of the sex scenes could have been dropped to give more time to see the two main characters together and the end seemed rushed.........but guess most murders are rushed.
On a lighter side you can play a great game of “spot the 80s TV star”............
cheers Nigel, would never have watched it and glad I did, lifted a stone to reveal a world I knew nothing about, if you liked the darker elements of trainspotting then this is worth a go.
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