They shared everything... except success.
When the young, attractive Joe Orton meets the older, more introverted Kenneth Halliwell at drama school, he befriends the kindred spirit and they start an affair. As Orton becomes more comfortable with his sexuality and starts to find success with his writing, Halliwell becomes increasingly alienated and jealous, ultimately tapping into a dangerous rage.
- Bleak ending
Log it
Sign in to log this.
Character
Classical in form, prestige, intimate and character-led.
- classical in formformally daring
- unpretentiousprestige
- intimateepic
- character-ledplot-driven
- warmbleak
Who loves it, who doesn't
No profiled raters yet.
Where do you stand?
Answer first; then see how everyone, and your circle, split.
“Is Gary Oldman the best thing in Prick Up Your Ears?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Does it take too many liberties with the true story?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
“Is this Stephen Frears's best work?”
Sign in to answer.
Be the first to answer.
Ask the title
A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
Reviews
No reviews yet.
Cast
- Gary OldmanJoe Orton
- Alfred MolinaKenneth Halliwell
- Vanessa RedgravePeggy Ramsay
- Wallace ShawnJohn Lahr
- Lindsay DuncanAnthea Lahr
- Julie WaltersElsie Orton
- James GrantWilliam Orton
- Frances BarberLeonie Orton
- Janet DaleMrs Sugden
- Dave AtkinsMr Sugden
Crew
- Stephen FrearsDirector
- Alan BennettScreenplay
- Oliver StapletonDirector of Photography
- Stanley MyersOriginal Music Composer
- Mick AudsleyEditor
- Andrew BrownProducer
Where to watch
Checking availability…
Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
Drugstore Cowboy 198982% alikeBoth classical in form, intimate.
The Wrestler 200882% alikeBoth classical in form.
The Music Lovers 197181% alikeBoth prestige.
Lenny 197481% alikeBoth classical in form.
Project Nim 201180% alikeBoth classical in form, prestige.
Quills 200078% alikeBoth classical in form, prestige, intimate.
Philomena 201377% alikeBoth classical in form.
The Hustler 196177% alikeBoth classical in form.
It's a Sin 202173% alikeTelevision · Both classical in form.
The Secret History 199271% alikeBook · Close across the board.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Tastebuds
