[HPforGrownups] Re: Double classes [and Rickman]

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 8957

Rita Winston wrote:CHANGE OF SUBJECT:

> Amanda and Dinah are Rickman fans. Is there a big overlap between the
> group of people who are Rickman fans and the group of people who are
> Snape fans?

Upon reflection, I would say probably. It's not a real big group, because
you have to (a) be a grownup, (b) have seen several Alan Rickman movies,
and (c) have read the HP books, but here's why. Alan Rickman, like another
of my great loves, James Mason, seems to pick roles based on his
perception of their artistic merit rather than their projected boxoffice
appeal. So he's been in a real range of roles, most of which are
characters which are complex, multi-layered, and/or multi-motivated. Thus,
Rickman fans tend to like that type of character. Which is Snape's type of
character.

This basic correlation is atop the obvious (to the Rickman lovers among
us)--foremost, for me, Rickman's ability to act wordlessly, with posture
and facial expression, which is both rare and essential to Snape, whose
wordless expressions and stances often speak volumes. Second, Rickman
plays condescending arrogance with a master's touch, again essential to
Snape. Plus there is a certain physical match, so long as they dye his
hair black. So those of us familiar with Rickman's work spotted him in
Snape, since we've seen it and liked it before.

Y'all want me to poll the Snapefans group and see how many previous
Rickman fans there are?

Ebony, what's wrong with casting posts?

--Amanda