September 27, 2006
I don’t know why, when I was thinking about what to write today, Alan Rickman popped into my head. “I should do a blog entry about Alan Rickman,” I thought.
So, okay. Here we are. Let’s talk about Mr. Rickman.
What is it about him that is so appealing? Obviously, that voice. My word! That voice. (I wonder what his singing voice is like…anyone?)
The eyes. The intense, dark eyes.
Oh, and the mouth. Yes, definitely his mouth.
Not to mention the way he throws on the role of a character as comfortably as Snape does his cloak. Gotta love those long black cloaks/coats (Angel, anyone? Spike?).
I loved him in Sense & Sensibility, especially during the scene where Marianne is ill, possibly dying, and he says to Elinor, “Just give me something…anything to do.” The expression on his face, and in his voice was so intense, yet underplayed. Perfect. If I were Elinor, I’d have swooned right there!
And anyone who knows me well also knows that if I were Maid Marion, I would have picked Alan Rickman over Kevin Costner any day. Sure, he was a little overzealous…but that was the script! Alan over Kevin is a no-brainer. Those eyes. That thick dark hair. That voice….
I just saw Love Actually recently, and once again was enamoured with the guy, and the way he played the role so sensitively.
But the role I absolutely love him in is, of course, as Snape. It was brilliant to cast him as Severus, and for many reasons.
I think Snape has become a most beloved character, that, despite what may or may not have happened in The Half-Blood Prince (which I haven’t read yet, thankyouverymuch!), having Alan Rickman play him has done more to create sympathy, and a following, for the character than anything else.
I’m convinced that, despite appearances to the contrary, Snape’s a good guy. Actually, the best of guys.
Based on his backstory, his trials and tribulations, his unpleasant youth…he reminds me of a person having to kick an addiction (in his case, to Voldemort and the Death-Eaters), and being strong in his own brooding, quiet, arrogant, misunderstood and cranky manner.
Plus there’s the whole story that Rickman didn’t want to play Snape, because he didn’t want to be cast as a villain once more (and I say, what’s wrong with that?)…and after a private conversation with JK Rowling in which she may have divulged some very interesting information, he agreed to play the part.
I’m dying to know what she told him, but I guess we’ll have to wait until all becomes clear.
So, what’s your favorite Rickman role? I’m looking for recommendations. And…has anyone heard him sing?
Edited to add: My friend Janet had a special fragrance made that she thought of as Snape’s (musky, spicy, with a touch of lapsang souchong), and just just emailed to let me know she’s sending me a sample of it! How cool is that?
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
September 27th, 2006 at 11:14 am
I loved this entry - Alan Rickman is great!
Kate.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/bobandkate/AnAnalysisofLife/
September 27th, 2006 at 11:31 am
The hands! His hands are SO expressive, in addition to his voice.
And OMG to sit next to him in a restaurant, I’d love to know what he smells like (I have a thing for scents, I’d love to know what Robert Plant & Johnny Depp smell like, too).
You should see him in Dogma. The Voice of God hahah! Talk about perfect casting! That character is my second favorite of his.
I’ll end with a quote by Alan Rickman from the movie Dark Harbor:
You know,
I look at you
and it’s funny, you don’t remind me of myself exactly
but you remind me of a certain time.
I remember what
I used to think love was like fireworks,
the explosions, the highlights,
but it is not.
It’s time:
to go through the seasons together
through change
through the ups and downs,
to be able to look at your beloved
and say,
“We did that together as one,
we chose each other above all things”.
That’s love.
It’s unexplainable.
It’s a secret
that can only be known
once you’ve done
the time.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:31 am
I love him in everything. No doubt (hee hee, “No doubt… NO doubt” from S&S) you’ve heard me go on about my one contribution to Film Theory which goes like this:
ALAN RICKMAN MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER.
Every movie he is in, he is one of the best — if not THE best — part of it.
~Diana
September 27th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
I have never really thought much about Alan Rickman. I did like him in Die Hard, perfect villian. And he is a great Snape.
I did like Love Actually but would much rather look at Karl (Rodrigo Santoro) than Rickman:-)I am so looking forward to seeing Santoro on LOST this up coming season.
September 27th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
LOL! My first thought was “oh my gosh, Janet has to see this!!”
I really like Alan Rickman…not for the same reasons of course. He makes a great bad guy but my favorite role of his is that of Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. It is a family favorite and he is great in the role.
September 27th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
I love Alan Rickman as well. He does have the best voice (Marvin in Hitchhiker’s Guide, hehe). I probably wouldn’t be as crazy about Snape if any other actor played him.
Also loved him in Galaxy Quest.. hilarious!
September 27th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Alan Rickman has bewitched my mind and ensnared my senses…As Professor Snape, his mysterious tortured soul is fascinating and entices me to know more. I believe that Snape has decided to follow what is right, rather than what is easy, and it will all be revealed in JK’s last book. As Snape, he is convincing as he is amazing. As Alan…still amazing and convincingly so! Swoon…THUD…as I fall to the floor with the vapors !! LOL
September 27th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
…what SilverWillow said…
September 27th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Oh, yes, Janet, the hands. Good point.
And Diana…I don’t think I’ve yet heard your thesis that ALAN RICKMAN MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER, but I must agree.
Thanks to those who reminded me that he was the villain in Die Hard! I’d totally forgotten, and now I must re-watch that movie in order to enjoy.
And Jaye, I know exactly what you mean about the leg-thing and his character in Robin Hood. Not a very nice thing he was doing to Marion, but he had such a way about the whole movie!
Carl, my 10 yo daughter, who loves S&S doesn’t quite “get” Rickman/Brandon yet, but she will. I definitely prefer him to Hugh Grant.
And J….thanks for popping by again! I’ve got to catch up on LOST myself. Still watching the first season.
September 27th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Colleen ~ I think Sam’s been with Katherine Ross for almost forever…but his voice still gets me every time. *Big sigh*
And you’re absolutely right, I haven’t seen any of the Harry Potter. I’m pretty sheltered ~ haven’t seen any of the Star Wars or the Lord of the Rings movies either.
September 27th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
if you go here ( http://www.aprilwinchell.com/multimedia/ ) and look a bit, you will find a recording of alan rickman singing “intelligence.” it’s not great, but it’s not brutal either. i would much rather hear him recite it though.
i think he’s quite a lot of fun in “blow dry” which is not a very good movie and tremendous in “closet land” which is not a fun movie. but both show different sides to him that are less…obvious, i guess.
it has always made me sad though that he couldn’t do the voice in the “clerks” cartoons, he was cast as the town bad guy and wasn’t able to do it, so alec baldwin stepped in. can you imagine how good it would have been with rickman?
September 27th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
I like his character better than Grant’s but I actually think Hugh was a good choice for that particular role. I just don’t like his clothes though. They look so uncomfortable.
And I had forgotten about Galaxy Quest…he’s great in that. They all are actually. Fun film.
And while his isn’t my particular favorite in Love Actually that is one fantastic film.
September 27th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
Who is Alan Rickman?
September 27th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
I’m not actually sure I ever knew his name. But I do really like him as Snape–perfect casting, I think.
And I also have had a suspicion for some time now that Rowling has a few tricks up her sleeve as far as Snape is concerned. This latest book shook my faith a little, but I’m still going with the theory.
I hadn’t realized he was in Sense & Sensibility…will have to watch again.
September 27th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
Mmmmm, that voice….doesn’t it just beg for one of those 3.99 a minute 900 numbers? ;c)
September 27th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
You’re thinking of Sam Shepard that’s been with Jessica Lange - Devonna was right - Sam Elliot has been with Katherine Ross for forever. Must be something about loyal (but not marrying) Sams!
And…Alan Rickman briefly sings in Truly Madly Deeply, doing a lovely harmony with Juliet Stevenson (who also makes an Austen appearance, in Emma - those Brits sure get around).
Great post! LOVE Alan Rickman
And Diana - I agree with your thesis - I have that with several actors, mine being “I know if I see (blanks) name in the credits, no matter how horrible this movie is, there’ll be a gem or two!”
September 27th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Have you seen Quigley Down Under? He was the villain in that one also but I loved him! QDU is a great western romance also. From 1990.
I started crushing on him from Die Hard and haven’t looked back. I will try and see anything he is in but I didn’t know he was in HP. I’m waiting until all the books are published or all the movies are done. Then I’ll do a marathon
CindyS
September 28th, 2006 at 10:27 am
I first crushed on Rickman in Dogma and haven’t yet stopped . . .
September 28th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Now How’d I miss this! I loved him as the voice of the depressive robot in The Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy … loved him in Dogma … laughed at him in Robinhood … and LOVE LOVE LOVE him as Snape. Perfect Snape really.
“Plus there’s the whole story that Rickman didn’t want to play Snape, because he didn’t want to be cast as a villain once more (and I say, what’s wrong with that?)…and after a private conversation with JK Rowling in which she may have divulged some very interesting information, he agreed to play the part.”
oooo interesting tidbit THAT! Snape? A good guy afterall?
September 28th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
For some reason I can’t post on your TT 13–the post comment link is gone from my system.
At any rate, I prefer Ranger to Joe Morelli…
September 28th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
HEY! Where’s my post???
:(
September 28th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Cheysuli and Zeek! I know! I don’t know why it’s doing that.
Grrr. Blogger. Grrr.
September 28th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
I loved him in “Die Hard,” but he is most awesome in “Robin Hood.” Even though he was supposed to be so bad, I actually felt sorry for him in the end, because the character was more pathetic than evil, at least in my opinion.
He plays whatever character well, and I think he has a broad range that the public may not give him enough credit.
September 29th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Snape reminds me of the same thing, Colleen. I tend to think of him as someone who is torn between deep-seeded inclinations and what he knows to be right. (However, I hate how he is portrayed in the movies on occasion because we don’t see enough good from him!) I hope that we find out soon enough what Snape’s deal is because I really want to like him, but he’s making it hard thus far in these films.
September 29th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
I forgot about Quigley Down Under. That is a great film. And Rickman is a fantastic baddie in it.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:49 am
Sweeney Tood…if you want to hear him sing…tis wonderful!