Why isn't this more of a cult film?

I've just re-watched the movie for the first time in many years. It really has stood the test of time, but then of course Alan Bennett wrote the script so it was bound to be verbally wonderful. Both Gary Oldman and Alfred Molina were exceptional in their roles, as was Vanessa Redgrave who always is.

>>>If you wish create 'cult' staus for this film ..buy or rent it and view it a few hundred more times, and get your friends to buy it or rent it and have them view it a few hundred more times, then you're on your way!!!!

2 possible reasons this is not a 'cult' classic:

First off, the 'gay' community hasn't wholely supported or propelled it as such, grossing only $1,654,743US in USA whilst box office for another 'cult' classic of the time "The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)" with only a budget of $1,200,000 US (estimated), Grossed $139,876,417 US plus it's rentals at $49,782,690 US for whopping $189,659,107 US which clearly showed that it's viewers watch it much more than once and at 158% acceptance rating.

Secondly most of the 'hetero' community who supported the aforementioned RHPS probably wouldn't sit through additional helpings of "Prick Up Your Ears".

Personally I watched "Brokeback Mountain" only once sporatically and simply because the theme of the movie wasn't cut to my tastes, however I thought "Thelma & Louise" was fantastic. I guess once 2 obviously non-hetero males visually exhibit their sexual relationship on the big screen, you lose me. Not that I dislike what it portrays but it's just not my cup of tea.

On a more personal note for those close-minded, I have a female member of my own family who is non-hetero and who decidedly came out to me about it first. She is very conservative about public displays and isn't flambouyant about her status. The flambouyance would probably have irritated me anyway. "OK, you're gay! ...fine, I'm not," now can we get back to what we were doing. I also have 2 brothers of whom I never slept in the same bed ...let alone the same room. I don't believe we'd even bathed together or similar display. Truthfully I couldn't say for sure how I'd react if the suddenly came out of "the closet", but I love my sister very much. I've just never been that curious about male counterparts. I'd stood around in the boys locker room checking out other male penises for comparison, as I was told by my girlfriends at that time I was quite adequate, even a bit too large. :) Nuf' said!

Lastly, in case anyone's wondering why I'm even here ...I was trying to decide if I should even bother to watch it, as the televised previews were vague at best as to the subject matter. Playwrights sure ...Cowboys sure ...2 men rolling around in bed ...nah!

Dislike what UR viewing _what UR hearing _whatever's happening! U could go elsewhere or turn it off

I think the biggest reason is that sadly it's one of the less known movies from Frears, Oldman and Molina. But of course it doesnt make it less incredible.
Over the years I have decided it's probably my most fave Gary Oldman film and performance.

Last year when Oldman finally got his first ever Oscar nomination for Tinker Tailor, there were quite a few retrospective screenings, one of them was a 6 film series in Los Angeles and Prick Up Your Ears was screened along with Sid and Nancy, JFK, Dracula, The Contender, and of course TTSS.
These are some of his best performances and the include of PUYE just made me happy.
Hopefully more people will discover it but it will probably never become a bigger cult film.

I had my local library add it to their collection. They purchased several copies for various branches. So I did MY part to help make it a cult classic.

Usually cult films are underdogs. I do not see how you could call it "underrated" when it got good reviews, was pretty popular and won awards.

The cult films tend to be the ones that no one notices when they first appear. Their reputation grows.