Gary Oldman considers this role without makeup his best, and the audience agrees with him

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He managed to replicate a historical figure without the help of makeup artists.

You surely know as a master of transformation, capable of playing anyone from Dracula to Winston Churchill. But which role does the actor himself consider the pinnacle of his career? And no, it's not the iconic antagonist from “Léon” Norman Stansfield, nor Commissioner Gordon from “The Dark Knight.” Oldman, it turns out, is most proud of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Smiling actor Gary Oldman in black-rimmed glasses
Gary Oldman
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Yes, the very Oswald from Oliver Stone's film JFK (1991). At first glance, the role may not seem the most striking—no crazy hairstyles or gallons of makeup. But that's where the secret lies.

Creative Freedom and "Frightening Accuracy"

Oldman admitted that working on the role of Oswald was an "exceptional experience" for him. The character was sketched rather sparingly in the script, and Stone gave the actor carte blanche:
He gave me some money and a few plane tickets and said, 'You know, just go and find out who this guy was. So I was both an actor and an investigator.'
The opportunity to "create" the character himself, to breathe life into him, made this role special for the actor. He literally immersed himself in the image, studied Oswald's biography, his manners, and tried to understand his motives.
Young Gary Oldman in the film 'John F. Kennedy. Shots in Dallas'
Gary Oldman as Lee Harvey Oswald
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Film critic Christian Gainey adds that the actor managed to portray the character in an unusual light. According to him, Oswald, played by Gary, is "actually just a patsy."
An intelligence agent whom the U.S. government accuses of killing Kennedy. At first, the idea seems absurd because we are used to thinking that this person killed the president, but it quickly becomes plausible when you watch Oldman's performance.

What is the film about?

"JFK" is not a traditional biopic but rather a political thriller investigating the circumstances surrounding the assassination of the 35th President of the United States. At the center of the plot is New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), who, doubting the official lone assassin version involving Lee Harvey Oswald, begins his own investigation.
JFK – Trailer
The film is a mosaic of memories, documentary footage, and event reconstructions, offering viewers an alternative version of what happened. The director doesn't provide clear-cut answers but rather raises questions, prompting viewers to think about how well we know history and who benefits from concealing the truth.

What Do Viewers Think?

Viewers share Oldman's opinion about his best role. One of them notes:
Gary Oldman is a frighteningly accurate portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald. For movie lovers, history buffs, pop culture fans, and conspiracy theorists alike, it's a must-have.
Reviewer pacific-oconnor from Imdb
Many, like ElMaruecan82, admit that the film is a masterpiece with "excellent cinematography, good acting, and an original plot."

Critic Casa2000 even calls the film "one of the most important American films ever made," highlighting the director's skill in achieving great performances from the entire cast.
Years after its release, the film is considered one of the highest-rated works featuring Oldman. The film's IMDb rating is 8.0 out of 10. It managed to surpass "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (7.9), "The Fifth Element" (7.6), "Dracula" (7.4).

What other roles of Oldman, in your opinion, deserve more recognition?