Gary Oldman Called This Film a “Masterful Piece of Filmmaking”

Gary Oldman has spoken often about his love of cinema, and when asked by Rotten Tomatoes to share his five favorite films, he surprised many with one of his picks.

Among classics like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The King of Comedy, he included Ratcatcher, the 1999 debut feature from Scottish director Lynne Ramsay.

Oldman praised the film highly, calling it “a masterful piece of filmmaking.” He explained that while his list could include endless titles from directors like Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick, Ramsay’s debut stood out to him on the same level.

Ratcatcher is set in Glasgow during 1973, a time when parts of the city were plagued by poverty and poor living conditions. The film tells the story of James, a quiet 12-year-old boy who lives with his family in a crumbling housing scheme.

The area is dirty and neglected, with no proper bathing facilities or running hot water. A strike by garbage collectors makes things worse, as piles of trash attract swarms of rats. At the same time, the city is beginning to demolish old housing schemes and relocate families into modern homes, offering a glimpse of change on the horizon.

Through James’ eyes, the film explores themes of guilt, escape, and the difficulty of growing up in such harsh conditions. His relationship with his mother, sisters, and alcoholic father shows the everyday struggles of life in the schemes, while the boy’s quiet search for hope gives the story its emotional weight.

When Ratcatcher was released, it was quickly noticed for its unique style and emotional power.

Critics gave it strong reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an 87% approval score and Metacritic ranking it as “generally favorable.” The British Film Institute, BAFTA, and several international festivals honored the film, and Ramsay won multiple awards for her directing and storytelling.

For a debut film, the response was remarkable. Ramsay’s work stood out not only for its subject but also for its approach. Many described it as haunting yet beautiful, mixing the bleakness of poverty with moments of innocence and hope.

Oldman’s decision to highlight Ratcatcher shows how deeply he values films that tell human stories with honesty.

By putting it alongside some of the most celebrated works in cinema history, he gave Ramsay’s film a lasting place in the conversation. “Switching from that to a small indie movie, a Lynne Ramsay movie called Ratcatcher — I just think it’s a masterful piece of filmmaking,” Oldman said.

It says a lot when an actor of Oldman’s stature puts an indie debut in the same breath as Scorsese and Kubrick. It proves how powerful storytelling can be, even without big budgets or stars. What do you think of Oldman’s choice, is Ratcatcher deserving of the title “masterful”? Share your thoughts in the comments.