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.
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Gary Oldman
Joe Orton
Alfred Molina
Kenneth Halliwell
Vanessa Redgrave
Peggy Ramsay
Wallace Shawn
John Lahr
Lindsay Duncan
Anthea Lahr
Julie Walters
Elsie Orton
James Grant
William Orton
Frances Barber
Leonie Orton
Janet Dale
Mrs Sugden
Dave Atkins
Mr Sugden
Director
Stephen Frears
Screenplay
Alan Bennett
Tagline
"They shared everything... except success."
Status
Released
Original Language
EN
Production
British Screen Productions, Civilhand, Zenith Entertainment, Film4 Productions
CinemaSerf
January 29, 2025
Maybe now, a few decades after this was made and when the politically correct brigade advocate that only gay actors should play gay roles, they ought to watch this and see just how engagingly two straight blokes can do what it says on their CVs and act! This is quite a witty and telling retrospective on the turbulent lives of playwright John "Joe" Orton (Gary Oldman) and his general factotum, frie...
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