| Cigarette Burns This month: Gary Oldman is God There are definitely several problems with becoming obsessed with an actor. First of all there are repercussions involving unhealthy fantasies, and the renting of several unworthy movies. Often, an hour and a half is wasted with plenty of eye candy and no plot. I once knew a girl who had an obsession with Keanu Reeves; I was forced to watch some of the worst movies ever made. The good thing about loving Gary, is that he has made some quality flicks. He is best known for his dark side and mastery of crazy accents, but my obsession began with his portrayal of Sid Vicious. There is nothing more appealing than a young, slim Oldman clad in leather from happy trail to toe sporting spiky hair. Thus, my Oldman loving began. So here are some of his more obscure films which I discovered, and found entertaining. Sid and Nancy released in 1986, may not be considered a strictly factual presentation of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen�s self-destructive relationship and consequential demises. It is, however, an intriguing cinematic endeavor by director Alex Cox to make sense of what occured between the two lovers. Gary Oldman is a receptive, controlled Sid who is bitched at incessantly by Chloe Webb�s tantrum-prone Nancy. It is my opinion that Cox�s intention is to turn Sid and Nancy into real people, struggling to come to terms with the success of the Sex Pistols, and to try, though not very hard, to remain together, and alive. Some may enjoy this film for its gritty realism, and others for Gary Oldman�s strangely appealing 4-inch spikes and constant shirtlessness. In spite of my superficial preference for the shirtlessness and spikes, I still was able to appreciate the film for what it is: the quintessential punk rock relationship-- junkies included. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead released in 1991, would be considered a departure for Oldman. For Oldman lovers and admirers this film is a treat. We are used to seeing him as the ultimate villain, sometimes slightly humorous, sometimes violent and sadistic. This film, based on the 1967 play by Tom Stoppard (he also directed the film), is an alternate view of Shakespeare�s Hamlet. Stoppard places Hamlet�s schoolfellows and betrayers in roles as protagonists. Gary Oldman and Tim Roth portray the pathetic Heroes who see themselves as merely puppets motivated by what Claudius commands. Stoppard builds multidimensional characters from relatively little material provided by Shakespeare. The story is constructed around Rosencrantz and Guildenstern�s scenes with Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, Polonius, and Ophelia, all who transform into the supporting cast. Oldman and Roth take on very different personalities. Roth is the sensible, sarcastic Guildenstern who keeps watch over his ditzy companion. Oldman�s Rosencrantz misses jokes and performs great physical comedy, but Stoppard also gives Rosencrantz the opportunity to be brilliant in his own right. Watch it. It is hard to find but definitely worth the effort. The Professional released in 1994, presents Gary Oldman in his �natural� state. He is the perfect Villain, a crooked cop who �cleans� up problems. The title character, French actor Jean Reno (oddly portraying an Italian in the film), is an estranged, gentle hitman who befriends a very young Natalie Portman after Oldman kills her entire family because of some cut heroin. Not only does Oldman portray a killer, but here he is, a sadistic drug addict with very effective strategies of intimidation, including sniffing. Whether you hate Oldman, or love him in the film, he has done his job well. Here is Oldman in fine, villainous form. return to august's table of contents |