Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
The best British movie ever, according to Gary Oldman, is a 1990s gem: “Masterful”
Gary Oldman has named Lynne Ramsay’s 1999 film *Ratcatcher* as his favourite British film, praising it as “a masterful piece of filmmaking”. His choice highlights the lasting impact of Ramsay’s debut, which turns a young boy’s experience of Glasgow into an atmospheric portrait of childhood and hardship.
Set in 1973 during a refuse collectors’ strike, the film follows James, who carries guilt after a boy drowns following a tussle by a canal. His family hopes to be rehoused, while the rubbish-strewn streets shape the film’s unsettling view of poverty and childhood. Ramsay later directed *Morvern Callar*, *We Need to Talk About Kevin* and *You Were Never Really Here*.
In short
- Gary Oldman calls *Ratcatcher* his favourite British film.
- Lynne Ramsay’s 1999 debut is set in Glasgow during a refuse strike.
- The film follows a boy coping with guilt, hardship and hopes of escape.
Explained simply
Lynne Ramsay is a Scottish film director whose first feature, Ratcatcher, was released in 1999. Set in Glasgow in 1973, it follows James, a boy growing up during a refuse collectors’ strike, when uncollected rubbish fills the streets.
James is troubled by the drowning of another boy after a tussle by a canal, while his family hopes to move to better housing. The film uses his point of view to explore childhood, poverty and life in Glasgow; Ramsay later made Morvern Callar and We Need to Talk About Kevin.