What are the best Alan Rickman films to watch to honor this great actor?
It’s been a bad week. First we lost David Bowie and then we lost actor Alan Rickman. So far, 2016 hasn’t been all that great for treasured and adored iconic figures in music and film. We really should form a protective circle of love around Sir Ian McKellan and Sir Patrick Stewart.
Alan Rickman’s career, for millennials who might not be aware, consisted of many more iconic roles besides that of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. While his performance as Snape certainly earned him all the adoration that came his way, he proved himself in many other films as well. Rickman was lucky enough to be in some really great films–and he was such a stellar performer that he could even save a dud of a movie.
Here’s a list of some of Alan Rickman’s best and most iconic performances, excluding his role of Snape in the Harry Potter franchise. Honor this tremendously talented and versatile actor and spend some time enjoying his other films.
“Dogma,” 1999
Written and directed by Kevin Smith (of “Clerks” fame), Alan Rickman plays the part of Metatron, the surly angel who acts as the voice of God (played by Alanis Morissette). This film is at the top of our list for good reason.
“Sense and Sensibility,” 1995
In this adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel by the same name, Rickman brings the honorable, yet boring, Colonel Brandon to life. He is actually quite dreamy in this role. Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant also star in this film.
“Truly, Madly, Deeply,” 1990
In this made for BBC rom-com, Rickman stars as the male love interest, who also happens to be a ghost for much of the film. He also sports a somewhat cheesy mustache.
“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” 1991
This may be the film that debuted Alan Rickman to the American audiences. He plays the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham, and in our view steals the show from Kevin Costner, who played Robin Hood.
“Love Actually,” 2003
In this film, that follows the lives of eight couples whose lives are loosely interrelated, Rickman plays a scoundrel. His story arc involves him pursuing a much younger woman, even though he is married. This film has quite an impressive ensemble cast featuring Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, and many more.
All film images via Wikipedia.
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Top Image: Alan Rickman via Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com