Prick Up Your Ears
A witty, intimate portrait of Joe Orton's meteoric theatrical success and the possessive relationship that shadows it.
Overview
A gripping tale of ambition, love, and tragedy in the world of theater.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- provocative
- intimate
- thoughtful movie night
- british cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's witty script, fluid direction, and especially the performances by Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, and Vanessa Redgrave, while some found the central relationship psychologically underdeveloped.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joe Orton's career, public success, and violent death provide the film's central historical arc.
Orton and Halliwell's relationship unfolds against changing but still dangerous attitudes toward homosexuality in mid-century Britain.
Halliwell's emotional and practical dependence on Orton intensifies as Orton becomes a successful playwright.
The lovers' shared flat is depicted as an increasingly constricted environment as their relationship deteriorates.
Films like Prick Up Your Ears, and why
Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon
shared biographical drama, queer themes, artistic ambition, and volatile intimate relationships
The History Boys
shared british period setting, lgbtq+ subject matter, theatrical culture, and melancholic relationship drama
Maurice
shared witty british drama, literary ambition, queer identity, and social repression
Carrington
shared biographical portrait of a transgressive artist, stylish period drama, and destructive personal intimacy
Movie Details
- Director
- Stephen Frears
- Release Date
- 1987-04-17
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (106)
Cast
- Gary Oldman
- Alfred Molina
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Wallace Shawn
- Lindsay Duncan
- Julie Walters
- James Grant
- Frances Barber
- Janet Dale
- Dave Atkins
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Prick Up Your Ears about?
- A witty, intimate portrait of Joe Orton's meteoric theatrical success and the possessive relationship that shadows it.
- What is Prick Up Your Ears like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Prick Up Your Ears as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Prick Up Your Ears violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Prick Up Your Ears as moderate.
- What did critics think of Prick Up Your Ears?
- Critics broadly praised the film's witty script, fluid direction, and especially the performances by Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, and Vanessa Redgrave, while some found the central relationship psychologically underdeveloped.
- Which films are like Prick Up Your Ears?
- Films with a similar feel include Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon, The History Boys, Maurice, and Carrington.
- How long is Prick Up Your Ears?
- Prick Up Your Ears runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Prick Up Your Ears?
- In United States, Prick Up Your Ears streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
