1. SSRP – GARY OLDMAN
How Gary Oldman’s performances compares
in three films Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Leon
and The Fifth Element?
2. 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
3. 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.
4. Empire Reviews
The 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]
5. Clips
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – Karla interrogation Scene
• The Fifth Element Clip
6. 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]
7. 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.
8. 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!”
9. 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)
10. Detective Smiley
Smiley 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
11. Tinker Tailor opinions
Primary 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
12. Leon and The Fifth Element
Leon 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
Zorg - The Fifth Element
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
Stansfield - Leon
13. 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
