The word Always holds more meaning and depth and will have a lasting impact on the Harry Potter fandom thanks to Alan Rickman.
On the 14th of January, 2016, as I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, I read that Alan Rickman had passed away. I’ll confess, I only know him after the Harry Potter movies but the news had an impact on me nevertheless. As I did my research about his passing, I realized that people know him more as Severus Snape than as Hans Gruber (Die Hard), Colonel Christopher Brandon (Sense and Sensibility), or as Antoine Richis (Perfume: The story of a murderer). This made me realize how much of an impact he has had on the Harry Potter fandom; to have lived the character so well that people mourn the loss of Severus Snape as well. I feel that this is the highest praise that an actor can ever get and I am glad that Alan Rickman got this.
He was such a respected actor that JK Rowling told him about Snape’s story while they were filming the 3rd Harry Potter movie and he maintained his character till the very end. At this age when people would do anything for publicity, he showed his gentlemanliness by not revealing anything till the end.
‘Three children have become adults since a phone call with Jo Rowling, containing one small clue, persuaded me that there was more to Snape than an unchanging costume, and that even though only three of the books were out at that time, she held the entire massive but delicate narrative in the surest of hands.’
This is not a post that highlights his achievements and talks about his life. This is a heartfelt post from a crazy Harry Potter fan who believed with all her heart that no one could have portrayed the role of Severus Snape better than Alan Rickman; in fact it’s even hard to imagine anyone else. This is my way of letting the world know that I mourn the loss of a fine actor who made me believe in the magic of cinema. I may have hated the book to movie adaptation of Harry Potter but if there is one thing they got right, it’s Professor Snape. I am ever grateful for Alan Rickman for playing this great character to a T and for bringing so much depth to a character that deserved it. We felt Snape’s animosity towards Harry as we felt his love for Lily. To portray such extremes with such depth is only possible for great actors and Alan Rickman is one of the greats. So, when I’m watching the movies when I’m 60, I would still feel the magic of his acting through Severus Snape. In fact, I would feel it Always.
‘If people want to know who I am, it is all in the work.’
I raise my wand to you, sir. Rest in peace.
*I do not own any of these images or gifs. Courtesy: The Internet