SSRP – GARY OLDMANHow Gary Oldman’s performances compares in three films Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Leon and The Fifth Element?

Over the years Gary Oldman gone from a flamboyant over-actor to intense method actor and everything in-between.

This research project looks at the following;

• Contrast between Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and his previous roles

• Tinker Tailor Case Study• Leon and The Fifth Element Case

Studies• Public life vs. professional life• Public opinion• Expectations

Contrast between later and earlier roles

During the 90’s Oldman was known for being Flamboyant and playing antagonists

During an interview with Sight and sound magazine [item 12] , Oldman said;

“I’m often asked to play Kinetic, frenetic characters, but I don’t consider that my entire library. But you do get typecast”

“I raised my voice once in the entire film”

There is a massive contrast between his roles in the 90’s and his more recent roles.

This is shown in the Empire Magazine and Empire Online reviews of each of my focus

films.

Empire ReviewsThe Fifth Element-

“Occupying the Mingish bad-guy is a loopily nasty Gary Oldman who gleefully manifests the gamut of bad guy tics from a limp to a pronounced though frankly inexplicable South Georgia accent” [Item 10]

Leon-“… features an astonishingly histrionic performance from Oldman, chomping drugs at every turn…”

[Item 9]

Tinker Tailor-“And plumbing in George Smiley’s grey matter, Gary Oldman has understood the illusion of being

non-descript sort of little man with a remarkable mind, authority and a gut full of secret sorrows and sins behind the serious spectacles.”

“Oldman’s performance is most eloquent and expressive in his fluent command of body language. The set of his shoulders and his posture, the occasional adjustment of his glasses, tell you precisely what’s going on in Smiley’s mind. There is a moment near the end when we only see him from the back but feel an electric thrill, knowing with certainty by his that his heart has leapt at what he has

seen.” [Item 8]

Clips• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Karla interrogation Scene

• The Fifth Element Clip

Expectations

“Films were often built around star images. Films might have been expressively written to feature a given star, or books might have been brought to production for production with a specific star in mind. Sometimes alterations to the story might effected in

order to preserve the stars image. This is what is known as a vehicle (a term actually

used by Hollywood itself)” From stars by Richard Dyer [Item 5]

Public Opinion• People don’t see Oldman

as a method actor

• Seems like a normal person

• He seems approachable

• Links to his personal life

• We believe he is a normal man who is vulnerable and friendly.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The film made $80,630,608 worldwide [Item 11]

Oldman’s performance is much more subtle and discrete than in many of his other films

He actually changed some lines in the script because he felt that they didn’t suit the character he had become for the role.

Sight and Sound interview;“… I say, “Is there anything you would like me to say to Ann?” (Ann being Sully’s wife). I think in the original script the line was, “What should I say to Ann?” But the line in the book is so particular, so English, I felt we had to keep it, because it still somehow avoiding the elephant in the room. And this guy has been fucking his wife and betraying his country!”

Tinker Tailors reputation

Oldman felt he had a huge role to live up to = Alec Guinness

He played the role of George Smiley in the 70’s TV adaptation of the same book as the recent film.

When people read the book they thought of Guinness’ portrayal of Smiley

Oldman was able to re-incarnate this role and also re-make it as he changes the role slightly for a new era (mostly in regards to Ann)

Detective SmileySmiley as a character is one of Oldman's most successful performances in terms of creating a character and portraying meaning.

He is able to remain quiet for the entire film

This reflects the idea of “Britishness” the books and film try to retain.

He remains polite, civil and takes part in no acts of violence

Clip – shows his calm apporach

He always looks slightly unhappy and proud at the same time

Smiley wasn’t a clear protagonist – Oldman played him to show he had a dark secret of past to hide

Tinker Tailor opinionsPrimary Research [Item 13]

Oldman isn’t well known in popular culture for roles such as Smiley.

Older generations remember him from his more extravagant roles during the 90’s.

Younger generations remember him from roles such as Sirius Black in Harry Potter.

This is apparent even though George Smiley is one of his more critically praised roles.

Many people haven’t seen Tinker Tailor at all.

Possibly due to;• Length• Themes• Lack of “action”• Lack of advertising to the mainstream market

Leon and The Fifth ElementLeon clip – 2:30

Both made by French director Luc Besson

Both feature very loud and extravagant antagonists

Oldman uses ticks and very noticeable movements to connote emotion

However both have contrasting styles of villain

Stansfield in Leon = Very dark and is supposed to be presented as dangerous

Zorg in The Fifth Element = Very comical and vibrant meaning he is not supposed to be taken seriously

In both films he is immediately identifiable as the villain through both of these methods he used which shows they were effective

Zorg - The Fifth Element

Stansfield - Leon

Public VS professional Life

Oldman has a very rough and public personal life

He has been married to 4 women

He has been known for his alcoholism

He has even been accused of beating one of his wives

He is very similar to the character of Smiley in Tinker Tailor

This made him more famous – but not because of his acting

This stopped however

The End