I like Rickman. But the way the film industry works, there is a depressing tendency for him to get type cast as comic Grand Guignol villains. As such, he is always equal to himself, (unforgettable as the Sheriff of Nottingham or the sleazy political spinmaster in Bob Roberts) but underused IMHO. He is capable of so many more dimensions, and is never so good as when he is cast against type.

My favorite performance by him though is as the revenant cellist in Anthony Minghella's Truly Madly Deeply, we have a delightfully nuanced comic portrayal, seductive enough
to get called back from the dead by the grief of his distraught widow, but also sufficiently annoying, flimsy and full of ticks, as to teach her to dispense with his memory and get on with her life.


So what do you guys think, do you think there's more to him than just a villain?

There is definitely more to him than just a villain. He is a brilliant actor with so much tallent. I think the problem is that he is just do damn good at playing villainous. It doesn't get better than Hans Gruber, and he is the best thing about the Harry Potter movies.

I thought his performance in Galaxy Quest was good. I got lots of laughs out of it.

"By Grapthar's Hammer, he's a fine but underutilized thespian."

How's that?

Yes Alan Rickman is amazing. I can't wait to see him opposite Gary Oldman in the upcoming Harry Potter film...

Rickman is great and he has a cool voice.

I thought he was great comedically in Dogma.

"Who told you to cover up?"

"shoot the glass!"

That made me laugh, great actor. Definitely my favorite villian in any movie - Die Hard.

He is endlessly quotable in Die Hard. His performances always stand out no matter what he's in.

I liked him in Sense and Sensibility... when he played Colonel Christopher Brandon... he was more pleasant tot watch that Hugh Grant.

This thread reminded me - I saw him in a short directed by Anthony Minghella, based on a Samuel Becket play, called, simple, "Play" Anyone who doubts Mr. Rickman's acting chops might want to check it out. He was simply outstanding in it.

I think you mean "Sense and Sensibility"


I agree, the guy rocks. I would like to see him give Quatermass a try, that is if they remake or relaunch that franchise.

So who is the villan?

How about his portrayal of Eamon DeValera in "Michael Collins" ?

Rickman is great in Die Hard and Robin Hood. He steals the movies.

Rickman's great, but at this stage he's not a leading man. He's absolutely perfect for teh films he makes, and I enjoy seeing him in every role he takes. He disappears into them.

Yes, Col. Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. Wonderful, made me rent Truly, Madly, Deeply.

"LOCKSLEY!!!!! I'M GONNA CUT YOUR HEART OUT WITH A SPOOOON!!!"

And Rickman is the funniest Sheriff ever!

it's dull you twit it will hurt more.

1) Rickman is sexy.

2) I love what I've seen of his work. Heck, I loved him as Metatron in Dogma, which otherwise I didn't much care for. But I do think that his role in Truly, Madly, Deeply is my favorite so far. Though Col. Brandon can't be denied--I'd love to see him in more period films. His Col. Brandon was simply great; he was so perfectly honorable and hopeless-yet-hopeful. Just not enough of him in that one, alas! More Alan, less Hugh.

3) Did I mention he's sexy? Hubba-hubba!

How about Closetland, anyone seen that one?