Well now, let me tell you somethin’ ’bout that Alan Rickman and his role in Pride and Prejudice. Folks, you might be thinkin’ of the big ol’ BBC series, or maybe them movie adaptations that always get folks talkin’, but there’s somethin’ real special ’bout how Alan Rickman played that Colonel Brandon. Not the main fella in the story, no sir, but if you ask me, he steals the show without even tryin’.
Now, you gotta know that Colonel Brandon, in Jane Austen’s world, ain’t the dashing young lad everyone swoons over. Nah, he’s a bit older, maybe a tad more serious, but that’s where Rickman comes in. He made that character seem like a real stand-up man. I mean, you look at him and you just know he’s the kind of fella who’ll do right by ya, even if he ain’t the one everyone thinks of as the hero. And that’s what made him stand out – Rickman made you believe every word, every look, like he wasn’t just playin’ a part, but livin’ it.
The thing ’bout Rickman, he wasn’t just known for his soft-spoken ways or his serious face, he had a way of makin’ ya feel the weight of his words. Like in Sense and Sensibility, where he played Colonel Brandon again, but it’s different from his Pride and Prejudice portrayal. In Sense and Sensibility, he’s got this depth, this whole quiet pain that makes ya want to hug him, even though he’s not much for words. But in Pride and Prejudice, he’s got this kind of solid presence. You just know he’s not one to run away from what’s right, even if he’s not the one most people think is the hero of the piece.
Speaking of heroes, in that Pride and Prejudice story, the real focus is on Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, of course. But, let’s be honest, Darcy’s got his moments of brooding and messin’ up, but Colonel Brandon – well, he’s steady as a rock. That fella knows what’s what, even if he doesn’t always say it out loud. Rickman’s Colonel Brandon might not be in the limelight as much, but when he’s there, you can’t help but respect him. He ain’t flashy or full of nonsense. Just steady, reliable, and honorable – a man you’d want on your side in a pinch.
Now, I ain’t sayin’ the other actors weren’t good, but Rickman had this way of holdin’ his own. It’s like when you hear a good story and someone’s tellin’ it just right – not too fast, not too slow, just the right pace. That’s what Rickman did. He made Colonel Brandon not just a supporting character, but a man you could root for, even if the world was givin’ him the cold shoulder. And that’s somethin’ special, don’t you think?
It’s funny, though, ’cause most folks remember Rickman from his role as Severus Snape in Harry Potter or maybe his bad guy roles in all sorts of movies. But to me, his Colonel Brandon is somethin’ else. It’s a different side of him, a quieter side, and it’s just as powerful. It’s like seein’ the same ol’ fields around the farm, but one day, you look out and the light’s just right, and you see somethin’ beautiful that you missed before. That’s what Rickman brought to Colonel Brandon – a depth and richness that made the character feel like more than just a secondary figure. He was, in a way, the heart of the story.
Rickman wasn’t just some actor with a pretty face. He had that weight, that gravitas that you can’t fake. He could stand there, just watchin’ everything unfold, and you’d know somethin’ big was comin’, even if he wasn’t sayin’ much. And that’s the mark of a real actor, if you ask me.
Well, folks, you might think all this talk ’bout actors and movies is a bit much for some people, but I tell ya, when a fella like Alan Rickman can take a character like Colonel Brandon and make him feel like a man who’s walked through life’s hardest trials, you can’t help but appreciate the craft. He’s gone now, but those roles, especially his Colonel Brandon, will live on forever. And ain’t that somethin’ to be thankful for?
So, next time you watch Pride and Prejudice, don’t just pass over Colonel Brandon. Remember that Rickman wasn’t just playin’ a part; he was bringin’ somethin’ real to that role. And I reckon that’s what makes him so unforgettable.
Tags: [Alan Rickman, Pride and Prejudice, Colonel Brandon, Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, BBC, Pride and Prejudice Movie, British Acting, Emma Thompson, Rickman Roles]
