Alan Rickman and David Bowie, two of the finest British Imports to Hollywood passed away sadly this week. To be very frank, I never knew about or heard of David Bowie before his news of death overwhelmed the Internet but thanks to my regards for Harry Potter phenomenon, I was aware of the charismatic presence of Alan Rickman in Hollywood. He was Severus Snape, the most feared, still the most loyal and reliable lieutenants of Albus Dumbledore and the way his character was developed by J.K. Rowling in her novels and magnified on screens by all the directors, it was commendable. It became all the more cherished for Alan was playing it, the God of a God-like voice. No wonder, I was most drawn to this character other than Sirius Black when I first watched a Harry Potter movie (that gotta be 'Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban').
So continuing my research further into Alan Rickman's life and deeds, I found out that he amazed everyone in Hollywood with his very first feature film and that was 'Die Hard'. This was the movie that launched the career of Bruce Willis. Alan played a villainous character, Hans Gruber, unlike any ever seen in Hollywood. Then he went on to play another iconic character, 'Sheriff of Nottingham' in Kevin Costner's 'Robinhood' flick. This was the film where everyone first noticed the impact and power of Alan's voice. So impressed was Kevin Smith with his deep baritone that he cast him as 'God' in his film, 'Dogma'. Alan, however, for all the love and affection he achieved in States, never got carried away with it and being a methodical actor with training in high profile British Theatre, remained attached to his motherland, England. He kept coming up with great British films and in year 1995, he got a chance to play the First ever Irish Prime Minister, Mr. Eamon De Valera in the film, Michael Collins, alongside Liam Neeson who portrayed the 'titular' character. Both Michael and De Valera are regarded very highly by Irish Nationalists and people for their contribution to Irish Freedom Struggle but De Valera was shown to be contemptuous of Collins in the film which Alan called a 'Hollywood thing' and openly disliked and criticized it. De Valera in actual life was a colleague of Collins and never really hated or liked him but remained as appreciative of him like any other Irish Revolutionary.
Then I had a chance to see him opposite Emma Thompson in Richard Curtis' superb Ensemble drama, 'Love Actually'. The pairing proved to be a super hit and later Alan found Emma by his bedside when he drew his last breath while Emma kissing him his last 'goodbye kiss'. Harry Potter and Severus Snape followed and rest as say was history. He not only gained unprecedented popularity but also a new legion of fans who fell for his enviable screen presence.
So as one can see, this post pretty much sums up all the major accomplishments of Alan Rickman's career but Alan will never remain the sum of his life-pieces. He was much, much more than that and only a single word spoken by him would melt away the careers of many novices. His death literally shook me and to this day, I am devastated. Harry Potter will always remain an integral part of the upbringing of my generation and whatever happens to the legacies and lives of its characters shall always have a direct impact on our lives. For all those unforgettable moments, mystical sights and mythical creatures, Harry and Alan must be celebrated. And even then, that won't be enough........#Respect........#Admiration.......#AlanRickman.........#LegacyUnsurpassed
So continuing my research further into Alan Rickman's life and deeds, I found out that he amazed everyone in Hollywood with his very first feature film and that was 'Die Hard'. This was the movie that launched the career of Bruce Willis. Alan played a villainous character, Hans Gruber, unlike any ever seen in Hollywood. Then he went on to play another iconic character, 'Sheriff of Nottingham' in Kevin Costner's 'Robinhood' flick. This was the film where everyone first noticed the impact and power of Alan's voice. So impressed was Kevin Smith with his deep baritone that he cast him as 'God' in his film, 'Dogma'. Alan, however, for all the love and affection he achieved in States, never got carried away with it and being a methodical actor with training in high profile British Theatre, remained attached to his motherland, England. He kept coming up with great British films and in year 1995, he got a chance to play the First ever Irish Prime Minister, Mr. Eamon De Valera in the film, Michael Collins, alongside Liam Neeson who portrayed the 'titular' character. Both Michael and De Valera are regarded very highly by Irish Nationalists and people for their contribution to Irish Freedom Struggle but De Valera was shown to be contemptuous of Collins in the film which Alan called a 'Hollywood thing' and openly disliked and criticized it. De Valera in actual life was a colleague of Collins and never really hated or liked him but remained as appreciative of him like any other Irish Revolutionary.
Then I had a chance to see him opposite Emma Thompson in Richard Curtis' superb Ensemble drama, 'Love Actually'. The pairing proved to be a super hit and later Alan found Emma by his bedside when he drew his last breath while Emma kissing him his last 'goodbye kiss'. Harry Potter and Severus Snape followed and rest as say was history. He not only gained unprecedented popularity but also a new legion of fans who fell for his enviable screen presence.
So as one can see, this post pretty much sums up all the major accomplishments of Alan Rickman's career but Alan will never remain the sum of his life-pieces. He was much, much more than that and only a single word spoken by him would melt away the careers of many novices. His death literally shook me and to this day, I am devastated. Harry Potter will always remain an integral part of the upbringing of my generation and whatever happens to the legacies and lives of its characters shall always have a direct impact on our lives. For all those unforgettable moments, mystical sights and mythical creatures, Harry and Alan must be celebrated. And even then, that won't be enough........#Respect........#Admiration.......#AlanRickman.........#LegacyUnsurpassed
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