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Poster for Prick Up Your Ears

Prick Up Your Ears

1987 · 1h 51m · R Drama
Directed by Stephen Frears

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Overview

Stephen Frears directs this biographical drama focusing on controversial British playwright Joe Orton, revealed in flashback after his murder by lover Kenneth Halliwell. Born in 1933 in Leicester, in the English Midlands, John 'Joe' Orton moves to London in 1951, to study at RADA, and enjoys an openly gay relationship with Halliwell in their famous Islington flat in the 1960s. However, when Orton achieves spectacular success with such plays as 'What the Butler Saw' and 'Loot', Halliwell begins to feel alienated and the pair's future looks increasingly uncertain.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
93%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Gary Oldman is excellent as Orton, right down to remarkable resemblance, while Alfred Molina creates both an amusing and tormented Halliwell. Vanessa Redgrave takes top honors, though, as a compassionate and benign agent.

Variety Staff, Variety
Fresh

Oldman is brilliant; Molina's Halliwell less subtle; and the film's dissection of cottaging quaintly amusing.

Dave Calhoun, Time Out
Rotten

The film covers the main events of the Orton life in a manner that is nothing less than distracted. One has little understanding of the fatal intensity - and need - that kept Orton and Halliwell together.

Vincent Canby, New York Times
Fresh

The great performances in the movie are, of course, at its center. Gary Oldman plays Orton and Alfred Molina plays Halliwell, and these are two of the best performances of the year.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Rotten

The filmmakers have shown great intellectual taste. But it's not the kind of taste that's illuminating.

Hal Hinson, Washington Post

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