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Prick Up Your Ears

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6.7/10 • 94

1987-04-171h 51m

Drama

When the young, attractive Joe Orton meets the older, more introverted Kenneth Halliwell at drama school, he befriends the kindred spirit and they start an affair. As Orton becomes more comfortable with his sexuality and starts to find success with his writing, Halliwell becomes increasingly alienated and jealous, ultimately tapping into a dangerous rage.

Directors
Stephen Frears
Editors
Mick Audsley

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Gary Oldman

    Gary Oldman

    Joe Orton

  2. Alfred Molina

    Alfred Molina

    Kenneth Halliwell

  3. Vanessa Redgrave

    Vanessa Redgrave

    Peggy Ramsay

  4. Wallace Shawn

    Wallace Shawn

    John Lahr

  5. Lindsay Duncan

    Lindsay Duncan

    Anthea Lahr

  6. Julie Walters

    Julie Walters

    Elsie Orton

  7. James Grant

    James Grant

    William Orton

  8. Frances Barber

    Frances Barber

    Leonie Orton

  9. Janet Dale

    Janet Dale

    Mrs Sugden

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jan 29, 2025

7/10

Maybe now, a few decades after this was made and when the politically correct brigade advocate that only gay actors should play gay roles, they ought to watch this and see just how engagingly two straight blokes can do what it says on their CVs and act! This is quite a witty and telling retrospective on the turbulent lives of playwright John "Joe" Orton (Gary Oldman) and his general factotum, friend, confidante and part-time lover "Kenneth" (Alfred Molina) set at a time when homosexuality in the UK was starting to emerge from the shadows of illegaility and, even amongst the more theatrical fraternity, was still frowned upon. What now ensues sees their relationship vacillate wildly, temptation rear it's ugly head and an unattractive degree of thoughtless, even callous, behaviour creep into Orton's behaviour towards his obsessive friend. Jealousy and toxicity aren't far away either, especially when Orton starts to see the fruits of his labours and makes a few quid. It's quite possibly the most perverse of love stories and there's a palpable chemistry that straddles loving and loathing between these two men that's well delivered by Orton, yes, but more so by the emotionally cuckolded character played by Molina. It's entertainingly speculative in nature, but that's delivered plausibly and epitomises a great many relationships where success profoundly alters the dynamic with drastic effects. It's also an interesting glance at the hypocrisy of public attitudes in the UK in the late 1960s and though not quite so potently, still resonates today - long after the "Section 28" debate that was about to hit the UK shortly after this was made. Good soundtrack, too.

Media

  • Prick Up Your Ears poster
  • Prick Up Your Ears poster
  • Prick Up Your Ears poster
  • Prick Up Your Ears poster
  • Prick Up Your Ears poster
  • Prick Up Your Ears poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
london, englandbased on novel or bookenglandbiographyplaywrightlgbt1960sdrama schoolgay theme