Gary Oldman: Best Movies

The film chameleon’s greatest moments

By Josh WinningApr 11th 2011
4

Immortal Beloved (1994)

The Role: Ludwig van Beethoven

Why It’s The Best: If ever there was a better filmic chameleon than Oldman, we’ve yet to find one. Immersing himself fully into the role of the German composer, Oldman is here damn near unrecognisable.

The fact that he remains silent for the first 20 minutes of the film while simultaneously emoting for England is a small triumph in itself. Plus, proving his dedication to his art, Oldman practiced playing the piano five hours a day so that he could match the tinklings of pianist Murray Perahia.

Iconic Moment: As the music soars, Beethoven remembers the pains of his childhood.

Gary Says: “Beethoven was all about artistic control. He was like the Orson Welles and John Cassavetes of the music world. He wrote with passion. He wrote about feelings and emotions and he wrote what he wanted to write.

“Most of the work from that period was commissioned, because that's how you earned your money. It's hard to believe that most of what Mozart wrote were gigs!

“You listen to ‘The Requiem’, and you can't believe that it was a commission! That he just sort of wrote it. But Beethoven wrote what he wanted to write.”

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Comments

    • clearwriter

      Apr 11th 2011, 10:37

      Lee Harvey Oswald? Come on. Before True Romance, surely JFK should have been on here.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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?

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    • 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.

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    • Heafja38

      Apr 11th 2011, 20:30

      Surely his awesome performance in State Of Grace should of got a mention.

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    • 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.

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    • dario

      Apr 12th 2011, 11:07

      What´s with The Contender?

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    • 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.

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