The Role: Clive ‘Bex’ Bissel
Why It’s The Best: This TV movie from Alan Clarke features a stunning turn from Oldman as ‘Bexy’, a football hooligan who revels in the chaos of unsporting behaviour.
The fact that the film’s been simultaneously condemned and celebrated for its unflinching depictions of violence speaks for Clarke’s layered, fearless approach to the topic, not to mention Oldman’s similarly fearless approach to his character.
Iconic Moment: “How can I put this?” ponders Bexy. “I can’t.” He lets the headbutting do the talking for him. Killer.
Gary Says: “At first I think [Alan] was very shy of meeting me because I had started to, as it were, happen in movies and obviously you bring a baggage to something. You bring history.
“But he met me through… my agent bullied him. And we met and I read for him. There’s sometimes, it’s strange, there’s sometimes a sort of reputation that precedes you, where people have a very fixed idea of who you are and what you are like.
“But we hit it off. And that’s it, you know, he gave me the part. I went back a couple of times I think. I think he saw me once or twice… more than twice, to make up his mind.”
« Previous 1 of 11 Next »
© Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
Try This...
Latest Reviews
The Hangover Part III
Epic
The Company You Keep
Comments
clearwriter
Apr 11th 2011, 10:37
Lee Harvey Oswald? Come on. Before True Romance, surely JFK should have been on here.
Alert a moderator
ebrown2112
Apr 11th 2011, 13:02
I'd put JFK, Prick Up Your Ears, and The Contender on the list before Dracula, Romeo is Bleeding, and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead. And the best performance in Dracula was by Tom Waits.
Alert a moderator
ebrown2112
Apr 11th 2011, 13:02
I'd put JFK, Prick Up Your Ears, and The Contender on the list before Dracula, Romeo is Bleeding, and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead. And the best performance in Dracula was by Tom Waits.
Alert a moderator
DanielMcA
Apr 11th 2011, 14:06
Josh, I know that, to a certain extent, you are playing devil's advocate in these pieces - proffering limited or contrary information or opinion in order to stimulate response and debate, but comethefukon. A piece on Gary Oldman's best performances without The Contender? That's pretty friggin' weak. What next, a piece on Orson Welles' best work but leave out Kane?
Alert a moderator
Hadouken76
Apr 11th 2011, 16:59
Surely his greatest moment was writing and directing Nil by Mouth, but since we are talking about acting it doesnt count...pity.
Alert a moderator
Heafja38
Apr 11th 2011, 20:30
Surely his awesome performance in State Of Grace should of got a mention.
Alert a moderator
Gav83
Apr 12th 2011, 4:54
@Heafja38: yep I agree. State Of Grace should definitely be on here. I read a quote from Oldman somewhere once that said his performance in State of Grace was the one he was most proud of.
Alert a moderator
dario
Apr 12th 2011, 11:07
What´s with The Contender?
Alert a moderator
FBTZootCatchy
Nov 1st 2011, 19:55
"Oldman delivers the whole thing in Russian, no less." IT WAS ROMANIAN, NOT RUSSIAN, you fool! In fact it was modern Romanian imitating medieval English syntax.
Alert a moderator