Not many actors achieved appreciation of Alan Rickman. Since the 1990’s, Rickman became an icon. Whether it’s terrorists, magical teachers or bold lovers, Rickman played several characters. However, in 2016 Rickman’s career came to a closure when he died from Cancer. Rickman’s death was a heartbreaking loss for the industry. Listed below are my picks for greatest movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Harry Potter is a magical series that shaped my identity. As far back as I remember, I’ve always loved J.K. Rowling’s magical literature that changed my life forever. I recall joyous memories of reading J.K. Rowling’s book series during my childhood. As a child, I immediately fell in love with books about wizards casting a spell. The inspiring book series gave me a lifelong love for reading. I’m a huge fan of Harry Potter and adore all the film adaptations about the boy who lived. However, my favourite film in the franchise has always been “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2”. Released in 2011, Alan Rickman’s movie did an extraordinary job of bringing the magical franchise towards a satisfying conclusion. In the greatest role of his career, Rickman embodies a school teacher carrying a burden to bear supervising a school enduring despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most iconic role. Rickman has always excelled at playing Severus Snape throughout the Harry Potter series, and “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” showcased his strengths as a performer. With the final film in the magical franchise, Rickman showcased an emotional side to Snape that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Harry discovers the shocking truth about Snape through his memories is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” Rickman’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Harry Potter films, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about death which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic farewell towards a magical franchise with unforgettable stories to tell, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor whose timeless movies cast a powerful spell.
2. Sense & Sensibility
Jane Austen is a legendary author whose timeless literature my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that was a massive fan of the legendary author in English literature. She took pride rather than prejudice reading books written by an author that left her satisfied. My mother grew up to value timeless books written from a feminist point-of-view. As someone treasuring a mother drawn towards the sense and sensibility of Jane Austen, I loved “Sense & Sensibility”. Released in 1995, Alan Rickman’s movie honoured Jane Austen’s book. In the most romantic role of his career, Rickman embodies a suitor that engages in an affair with a woman that becomes a burden to bear. Rickman excels at delivering monologues, and his strengths are clearly evident in “Sense & Sensibility”. For instance, the scene in which Brandon witnesses Marianne playing the piano falling in love at first sight is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Sense & Sensibility” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Jane Austen fans to admire it. Centuries following literature written by an author about women with sense and sensibility in danger, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose films audiences treasure.
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Strict school teachers shaped my identity. During 10th grade, I met a professor which left students afraid. Willing to yell, he rarely got along well with pupils whose lives he made a hell. As cold as Severus Snape, he would scold students which didn’t do as they were told. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that was well-known, I loved “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. Released in 2001, Alan Rickman’s movie did an extraordinary job of introducing a franchise. In the most iconic role of his career, Rickman embodies a strict professor that mistreats students facing danger. Alan Rickman has always been one of those actors with a distinct deep voice. In “The Philosopher’s Stone”, Rickman used his voice to create a teacher with authority. For instance, the scene in which Harry Potter meets Snape for the first time is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Philosopher’s Stone” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a universal message about teachers which would resonate with everyone. A spellbinding start to a magical franchise about the Philosopher’s Stone, it’s a captivating reminder of a well-known actor whose commemorated movies have stood in a league of their own.
4. Die Hard
Terrorism has impacted my identity. At an early age, I faced bombings causing damage. In 2003, my family endured bomb blasts that caused insomnia in Saudi Arabia. An act of terrorism, the bombing was a shock to the system. The tragic aftermath of the disaster stayed with me forever. As someone that witnessed hard terrorist attacks in which there was a high likelihood to die, I adored “Die Hard”. Released in 1988, Alan Rickman’s blockbuster depicted terrorists putting lives in grave danger. In the most villainous role of his career, Rickman embodied a terrorist committing crimes causing despair. Rickman is one of those actors that always excelled at playing villainous characters throughout his career, and his strengths are evident in “Die Hard”. For instance, the scene in which Hans Gruber falls to his death is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Die Hard” an action classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most action blockbusters, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As strong as John McClane’s desire to save a building, it’s a commemorated reminder about an actor whose movies are worth celebrating.
5. Eye in the Sky
Drone warfare is a subject about which my uncle has come to care. At an early age, I bonded with an uncle having knowledge about drone warfare causing damage. He would love to debate implications of drone warfare causing soldiers to deteriorate. As someone treasuring an uncle that loved drone warfare in the sky, I appreciated “Eye in the Sky”. Released in 2015, Alan Rickman’s movie did an excellent job of depicting drone warfare. In the final role of his career before his passing, Rickman embodied an army general issuing orders on drone warfare causing despair. Rickman excels at playing authoritative characters, and his strengths are evident in “Eye in the Sky”. For instance, the scene in which Lieutenant Benson delivers a monologue about the cost of war is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Eye in the Sky” a great war movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about war which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of drone warfare, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that built a career by making celebrated movies about which audiences care.
6. Truly Madly Deeply
It’s challenging to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. A painful process causing distress, grief is seldom depicted in movies with success. Given the depressing nature of the topic, movies rarely ever portray grief in a way that’s realistic. However, in 1990 Alan Rickman pulled it off successfully when he made his movie “Truly Madly Deeply”. In the most tragic role of his career, Rickman embodies a ghost that comes back to haunt a woman following the death of her boyfriend causing despair. Rickman has spent most of his career playing serious characters without a sense of humour. With “Truly Madly Deeply”, however, he showcased aptitude for comedy. A powerful portrait of ghosts causing the lives of grieving women to deteriorate, it’s a strong reminder about an actor whose timeless movies audiences appreciate.
7. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Elm Street
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway musical on the big-screen today. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make a successful adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the show. However, in 2007 Alan Rickman managed to pull off the feat of adapting a beloved Broadway play in his film “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Elm Street”. In the most musical role of his career, Rickman embodies a corrupt judge that commits crimes causing barbers to face despair. It’s a colourful role that gave the actor the rare opportunity to showcase his talent for singing melodies. A breathtaking adaptation of a Broadway play about demonic barbers that blew audiences away, it’s a brilliant reminder about an actor whose timeless movies are worth celebrating today.
8. Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves
Few characters in English literature are as beloved as Robin Hood. Ever since his creation in English folklore, Robin Hood has become as a commemorated character audiences adore. In 1991, Alan Rickman did an excellent job of honouring the legendary literary character interacting with thieves in his film “Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves”. In the most colourful role of his career, Rickman embodies a threatening villain that causes Robin Hood to face fear. It’s a larger-than-life character that gave the actor a chance to showcase a menacing side to himself which audiences hadn’t seen before. Despite limited screen-time in the movie, Rickman stole the show. A remarkable tribute towards Robin Hood, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has stood the test of time as an iconic figure in Hollywood.
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9. Love Actually
Alan Rickman has always been one of those actors that has excelled at playing serious characters. Rickman has built a reputation being an actor that excels at playing solemn characters that don’t have time for humour. However, in 2003 the actor took audiences by surprise showcasing his aptitude for comedy in his movie “Love Actually”. In the most comical role of his career, Rickman embodies a man engaging in an extramarital affair causing his marriage to face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor opportunity to showcase flair for comedy. Working alongside Emma Thompson who is also excellent, Rickman created a comical portrait of a broken marriage. A remarkable portrait of romantic relationships facing endings that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder about an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Severus Snape has always been one of the most fascinating characters in the Harry Potter franchise. With his cruel nature, mysterious motives and intimidating presence, Snape gained a huge following. Snape has played pivotal roles in all the Harry Potter films but he shines the brightest in the sixth movie “The Half-Blood Prince”. Released in 2009, Alan Rickman’s sixth Harry Potter film celebrated the literary character. In the most ambiguous role of his career, Rickman embodied a magical school teacher whose motivations are mysterious. Rickman brought vulnerability to Snape in the sixth movie. As strong as spells Harry loves performing, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that built a lasting legacy whose engaging movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of filmmaking years after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
The Film Buff 