by Tikki Benit Dai
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  © J.K.R. Publishing Rights Photo courtesy Graham Attwood.
Photo may not be re-used nor copied without express written permission from Sunlight Productions. All rights reserved.)
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Almost everyone over the age of three has heard of the name Severus Snape. But take away the dark robes, the sinister expressions, the threatening tones, and what do you have? A wonderful, versatile actor named Alan Rickman who first graced the American film screen in his role as "Hans Gruber" in the 1988 flick Die Hard. Despite our keen admiration for Rickman in the role of villain (or suspected villain), this classically trained actor has starred in a fair number of film and television performances, including his lead role in the critcally acclaimed Rasputin. He is truly a theatrical chameleon, for he possesses the enviable talent of becoming the characters whom he portrays, to the point that we may remember the role but not the actor who plays it.
So, who is John Gissing? None other than the award-winning Alan Rickman. In the Sunlight Productions film, The Search for John Gissing, Rickman plays the title role, a British businessman who is forced to train the American colleague sent to replace him. The American businessman is played by Mike Binder, who also wrote and directed the film. The Search for John Gissing shows us more than just a brooding figure in dark robes. In one scene, we actually get to see the normally refined Rickman taking a tinkle on a very expensive armchair. Certainly not something Snape would do. Unfortunately, if you did not catch the film at one of the local film festivals between 2001 and 2002, you may very well miss this comedic side of Rickman since film distributors underestimate the film's potential to attract a larger audience. Decide for yourself. Visit the film's website, by clicking the above photo of "John Gissing," and view the trailer. If you agree that this is a film that should be brought to the general public, please sign our petition below. On behalf of the Alan Rickman fan clubs around the world, we thank you for your support of a great talent.
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to help release the film, Search for John Gissing. |
©2004 Tikki Benit Dai