Gary Oldman's role in Tiptoes
Gary Oldman, known for his prestigious filmography and universally praised performances, starred in the obscure 2000s film Tiptoes, a drama-comedy in which he played a short person, presented as the twin brother of the character played by Matthew McConaughey. The casting choice was particularly surprising given the ten-year age difference between the two actors.Challenges of the role
To create the illusion of this height difference, Oldman had to play a large part of his scenes on his knees and worked on his voice to bring it closer to that of his co-star. According to Oldman, who discussed the matter on Josh Horowitz's podcast, he accepted the role due to personal and professional difficulties at the time.Personal and professional context
He was going through a divorce, was a single father living in poverty in Hollywood, and had not worked for 23 months or more. The film was an opportunity to pay his bills, even though the script was confusing. He stated he would not accept such a role today.Oldman's filmography around 2000
Oldman's filmography indicates that he participated in several productions around the year 2000, including Manipulations and Baby on Board, alongside Skeet Ulrich, which was presented at Sundance in January 2001. This was followed by his participation in Tiptoes and Interstate 60, with James Marsden.Plot of Tiptoes
Tiptoes follows Steven, played by Matthew McConaughey, who falls in love with Carol, a painter played by Kate Beckinsale. The story takes a turn when Steven reveals a family particularity: all his close relatives are short people, with the exception of himself. This revelation becomes significant when the question of having a child arises.Supporting cast and legacy
Oldman plays Steven's brother, in a cast that also includes Peter Dinklage, long before his fame from Game of Thrones. The film's behind-the-scenes story is as tumultuous as its script. Director Matthew Bright initially envisioned a work very different from the one finally presented to the public.Production changes and fallout
His first edit, completed in 2002, lasted about two and a half hours, but the studio decided to significantly reduce the film to 90 minutes. This radical intervention altered the project and resulted in Bright losing his screenwriting credit. Marked by this experience, Bright has not directed any films since.Reactions to the film
Peter Dinklage defended the original version during an interview with Vulture, calling it "incredible" and stating the changes went "against what we were fighting for: the cuteness of short people." Tiptoes was presented at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 in its shortened version but received unfavorable critical reception and did not benefit from a proper theatrical release.Legacy and reflection
Oldman prefers to forget the experience, while McConaughey still laughs about it. When questioned about the film, McConaughey emphasized the discrepancy between the script and its promotion, stating it was "obviously a crazy concept" but "anarchic but had heart, with a script less sentimental than what [the trailer] suggests."Oldman's comeback
Despite this unglamorous episode in his career, Oldman returned to the spotlight in 2004 by entering the Harry Potter universe as Sirius Black, the godfather of the young wizard. For those interested in watching Tiptoes, it is not currently available on any streaming or VOD platform in France.
