Gary Oldman

The highly acclaimed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has given its star Gary Oldman his first Academy Award nomination. While his performance as George Smiley is a revelation, it’s almost impossible to believe he hasn’t been nominated before. Here’s FilmJuice’s top Oldman films.

The highly acclaimed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has given its star Gary Oldman his first Academy Award nomination. While his performance as George Smiley is a revelation, it’s almost impossible to believe he hasn’t been nominated before. Here’s FilmJuice’s top Oldman films.

10. L.T Jim Gordon – Batman Begins/The Dark Knight (2005/2008) Playing against type, Gary Oldman gets a chance at being the good guy. In a city full of corrupt cops and criminals, Lt Gordon proves to be not only un-corruptible but a trusted friend to Batman.

9. Drexl Spivey – True Romance (1993) While it’s only a brief appearance, Gary Oldman plays the violent drug dealer Drexl with so much intensity he’s utterly mesmerising. Directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino this electrifying cameo showed Oldman could play a Hollywood villain with ease.

8. Milton Glenn – Murder In The First (1995) Playing a prison warden was by far the less showy role in this drama. Kevin Bacon gave a manic and touching performance as tormented inmate Henri Young. However, Oldman doesn’t let Bacon overshadow him and shows restraint and menace as Milton Glenn one of his most evil cinematic creations.

8. Sheldon Runyon – The Contender (2000) Proving his versatility once again, Oldman is almost unrecognisable as Sheldon Runyon in this political thriller. Co Starring Jeff Bridges and Christian Slater, the ensemble cast is lead by an acting master-class from Gary Oldman.

7. Jackie Flannery – State of Grace (1990) Holding his own against the likes of Sean Penn and Ed Harris, Oldman is at his best as hard drinking gangster Jackie. Bringing both an emotional side and a violent homicidal streak, this was the performance that confirmed Oldman as one to watch.

6. Lee Harvey Oswald – JFK (1991) Oliver Stone’s controversial film about the assassination of President John F Kennedy gave the conspiracy theorists more food for thought. In a film full of standout performances, Oldman plays the killer of a President with chilling conviction.

5. Sirius Black – Harry Potter (2004-2011) His character is built up to be the villain but turns out to be one of the good guys, and the last remaining family Harry has. Playing more of a father figure, this was in stark contrast to his anarchic performances from the past but he gave the character real depth and charm.

4. Ludwig Van Beethoven – Immortal Beloved (1994) Few actors could capture the madness and genius of the troubled composer, Gary Oldman was the perfect and possibly only choice. Giving a measured and captivating performance in the title role, it’s still a mystery why this wasn’t an Academy Award nominated performance.

3. Dracula – Bram Stokers Dracula (1992) Gary Oldman gives multiple incarnations of Bram Stokers infamous creation from the withered old Dracula to the young and intoxicating Count looking for his lost love. Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation was the film that made Oldman a star.

2. Sid Vicious – Sid & Nancy (1986) In what turned out to be his breakthrough role, Oldman shows his brand of method acting with impeccable results. Exuding all the attitude and talent as the Sex Pistols front man himself, the foundation for his future career was built on this performance.

1. Stansfield – Leon (1994) Luc Besson’s thriller about hit-man Leon, (Jean Reno) who takes in young Matilda (Natalie Portman) after her family is gunned down by a gang of corrupt cops, lead by Detective Stansfield. Oldman puts in a gloriously over the top performance that still stands up as one of the greatest on screen villains.

Special mention to his directorial debut Nil By Mouth (1997). He may not appear in the film but his first and currently only turn behind the camera is a powerful and gritty drama. Kathy Burke and Ray Winstone star in this harrowing story of love, loss and redemption.

Here’s hoping Gary Oldman get the recognition he deserves at the year’s Oscars.