First Bowie and now Alan Rickman. My heart just can’t take anymore!
Earlier this week, I had a chance to say goodbye to a musician that helped shaped me as a songwriter, writer and person. It feels right, now, to take a moment to say goodbye to a man who inspired me as an actress and performer.
Like many others, Alan Rickman first caught my eye in Die Hard. His portrayal of Hans Gruber chilled me to the bone. Gruber was ruthless, intelligent, manipulative…and charming. He mesmerized me. Even though I was a kid, I couldn’t take my eyes off him when he was on the screen. For all of the explosions, hilarious one-liners delivered by Bruce Willis, and the sweet reconciliation love story, it was Rickman’s portrayal of Gruber that stuck with me.
Years later, I came across him again in a small British RomCom called Truly, Madly, Deeply. If you haven’t seen this film, go watch it. It’s full of little gems like this:
Didn’t know he could sing, did you? Check him out in the 2007 film Sweeney Todd. (He’s really the only thing that makes the botched adaptation worth watching, sorry Johnny Depp.)
Of course, Alan’s speaking voice was renown. His delicious, bass-baritone is instantly recognizable and was once labeled “perfect” by a 2008 study. I didn’t need a study to tell me that. His voice was as rich as dark chocolate and could melt you (or your panties), could chill you to the bone, or make you laugh. Mostly, he could make you swoon.
As sad as I am today, and this week in general, I’m grateful that Alan Rickman left behind such a body of work for us to enjoy, savour, and appreciate. Rest in peace, sir. You’ll always be Colonel Brandon to me…
Sense & Sensibility