I shall be building this page into a comprehensive review of all of Alan's Films.
For a review of Anthony and Cleopatra at the National see the Theatre Page
Also see a review of the unauthorised Biography

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Also the Die Hard Trilogy now available

The first and the best of the Die Hard movies, which spawned a host of imitators.  The basic plot is very simple - a group of highly organised and ruthless terrorists take over a high rise building, holding the office workers hostage, and one ordinary man defeats them all.  What lifts the film way above others of its genre is a genuinely witty script, and many excellent performances.  Bruce Willis is perfectly cast as the ordinary guy who, in dirty vest, and barefoot, braves dizzying heights, explosions, and a sea of broken glass to defeat the odds and win back his estranged wife.  Alan Rickman is his first screen role is convincing as the dryly sarcastic utterly remorseless German terrorist leader, with a nice line in sharp suits, who has all the details of the operation on his Filofax.    A fine supporting cast down the tiniest cameo, with special mention for Bonnie Bedelia as McClane's long-suffering wife, Reginald VelJohnson, as the cop who gives moral support, and Hart Bochner who plays a slimeball with relish.

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This attempt to recreate the swashbucklers of the past in a slightly more modern style stars Kevin Costner, who despite his failure to wear tights or speak with an English accent, is a pleasantly earnest Robin.  Alan Rickman is the real star of the show as a splendidly over-the-top Sheriff of Nottingham.  It has sometimes been said that he seemed to be in a different film from the others - this may be true, but one can't help feeling that if he was, it was a better film.  Dashingly dastardly in black;   cruel, petulant and utterly mad, Alan rampages through the film stealing every scene he appears in and scattering deliciously quotable lines with careless abandon. 
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is a feisty Maid Marian, who displays dazzling fighting skills in her first scene and doesn't use them again, and Morgan Freeman lends gravitas.   A worthy supporting cast and some very fine set pieces. 

When one person writes directs and stars in a film one can be sure of a very focussed product.  Tim Robbins fills all those roles admirably, and presents a sometimes scary vision of what lies behind American right-wing politics.  Filmed in documentary style, it shows the public image while hinting at unpalatable truth.   Roberts campaigns with eerily satirical folksongs, and media manipulation is the name of the game.  Alan Rickman is a menacing presence as the campaign's creepy financier.  A highly original film.

 

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Alan has an uncredited appearance in this film as a flashback to his role in the original Die Hard.  This roller-coaster action film has Jeremy Irons as Hans Gruber's brother, out for revenge against McClane (and a large cache of gold as well).  Even more shooting and explosions than the first two.  Forget the plot and sit back and enjoy the thrills.  Samuel L Jackson co-stars as McClane's unintentionally acquired partner.

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This delicious film won a Golden Globe and Oscar for its intelligent and funny script.  A delight to the eye, with classic English countryside and costume, it also delivers some superb performances.  Emma Thompson, who wrote the screenplay, is perfect as the sensible heroine, concealing her emotions while solacing her more sensitive sister, delightfully played by Kate Winslet.  Greg Wise is a dashing love-interest whom you just know is going to turn out to be a bounder, and Alan has a real change of pace as the steady Colonel Brandon, loving patiently from afar.  Hugh Grant turns in one of his many appealing performances as a shy suitor.  Ang Lee directs with taste and sensitivity.  A host of minor characters are played by some of the best performers in the English drama. A film with truly enduring charm. 

Now available

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This made-for-TV film should really have had a much wider release.  Alan Rickman heads a quality cast, and while he won a well-deserved Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance, there are also notable performances from Sir Ian McKellan as Tsar Nicholas, Greta Scacchi as Alexandra and John Wood as Prime Minister Stolypin.   Unusually, the film is narrated by the young haemophiliac Tsarevitch, which gives it an ethereal haunting quality.  Rasputin, equally at home in the Palace or the gutter, is a coarse, drunken, unrepentant womaniser with a compelling charm.  His ability to soothe the dangerously ill Alexis, creates a dangerous dependency, which horrifies all those close to the Royal family.  Although the story is well-known, and there are unlikely to be many surprises for the viewer, the skilful juxtaposition of beauty and horror keep one fascinated throughout.  Highly recommended.

 

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The biography of the Irish Rebel leader, charismatically played by Liam Neeson.   The film is beautifully photographed and creates a convincing portrait of the times, though there are many who will argue about the historical accuracy.  There are fine performances also from Alan Rickman and Stephen Rea.  I found Julia Roberts a disappointment, mainly because the chief purpose of her character as scripted, was to appear in a different fashion outfit in each scene, and be generally a hindrance. This is a violent film, but necessarily so. 

Not yet released in the UK.  Details can be found on the Internet Movie Database.

Dogma has all the hallmarks of a cult movie. First of all there is the original and off the wall plot in which two fallen angels discover a loophole which will get them back into heaven. Secondly, the pacy and literate script laced with religious satire. Finally there is the rapid fire dark humour which is extremely welcome nowadays when so many other films rely on mugging screaming and slapstick for instant and forgettable laughs. Good performances from a splendid ensemble cast headed by Linda Fiorentino as Bethany who suddenly finds she holds the fate of the world in her hands. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are the two chillingly evil angels. Chris Rock is excellent as the overlooked 13^th apostle. Alan is Metatron the (East End) voice of God whose marvellously witty performance effortlessly dominates the screen.

Not yet released in the UK.  Details can be found on the Internet Movie Database.