Madly, Deeply

1. A Life Observed: Rickman's Detailed Chronicle

Some days seem destined for calm, others for frenzy.

Meticulous Record-Keeping: Alan Rickman's diaries offer a glimpse into a life lived fully, with meticulous attention to detail. From daily schedules to profound reflections, the diaries capture the essence of his experiences, providing a rich tapestry of his world.

• Social engagements with political figures, actors, and artists
• Thoughts on plays, films, and books
• Personal reflections on life, death, and relationships

A Window into the Mundane: The diaries also reveal the ordinary aspects of Rickman's life, grounding his celebrity status in relatable experiences. This juxtaposition of the extraordinary and the everyday creates a compelling and humanizing portrait.

The Power of Observation: Rickman's diaries demonstrate the power of observation, highlighting the importance of paying attention to the world around us. His ability to find meaning in both grand events and small moments is a testament to his keen eye and thoughtful nature.

2. The Actor's Craft: Insights into Performance

Brilliant acting must be like a precisely aimed bomb, powerful, accurate, devastating.

A Passion for the Art: Rickman's diaries reveal a deep passion for acting, viewing it as a craft to be honed and a means of understanding human nature. He expresses admiration for those dedicated to the art and impatience with those who diminish it.

Critical Eye: Rickman offers candid assessments of his own performances and those of others, providing insights into his artistic standards and the challenges of the profession.

• Evaluations of plays and films
• Reflections on his own acting choices
• Observations on the work of fellow actors

The Pursuit of Excellence: The diaries underscore Rickman's commitment to excellence, highlighting his dedication to mastering his craft and pushing the boundaries of his abilities. This pursuit of perfection is a recurring theme throughout his writings.

3. Politics and Principles: Rickman's Engagements

Livingstone, Skinner et al are wrong, steeped in politics all their lives, unable to truly gauge the wind, their professionalism severing the link with their own integrity.

A Moral Compass: Rickman's diaries reveal a strong moral compass, guiding his engagement with political and social issues. He expresses his views on various topics, from the state of British theater to global events, often with sharp and insightful commentary.

Political Involvement: The diaries document Rickman's active participation in political causes, including his support for the Labour Party and his involvement in protests and rallies. This demonstrates his commitment to using his platform to advocate for his beliefs.

Critique of Power: Rickman's diaries also reveal a critical perspective on power, particularly in the realms of politics and media. He expresses skepticism towards those in positions of authority and a concern for the potential for abuse.

4. Love and Loss: Personal Reflections

The quiet joy of preparing food for friends.

A Private Life: While Rickman's diaries offer glimpses into his professional life, they also reveal a deeply personal side, particularly in his reflections on love, friendship, and loss. These entries provide a more intimate understanding of the man behind the public persona.

Enduring Love: The diaries document Rickman's lifelong relationship with Rima Horton, his partner and later wife. These entries offer a touching portrait of a deep and enduring love, marked by mutual respect and companionship.

Coping with Grief: The diaries also reveal Rickman's struggles with grief, particularly in the face of the deaths of close friends and family members. These entries offer a poignant glimpse into his emotional life and his capacity for empathy.

5. The Potter Years: Snape and Beyond

To play Snape, Rowling gave me one piece of information that no one else had: she told me why Snape hated Harry.

A Defining Role: Rickman's diaries offer a unique perspective on his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film series, a character that would come to define his career for a new generation of fans. These entries reveal his thoughts on the character, the challenges of adapting the books, and his relationship with author J.K. Rowling.

Insights into Snape: The diaries provide insights into Rickman's understanding of Snape, a complex and enigmatic character. He reveals that Rowling shared a key piece of information with him that informed his portrayal, allowing him to "hang on to the cliff edge" of the character's motivations.

Mixed Feelings: While Rickman acknowledges the impact of the Harry Potter films on his career, he also expresses some frustration with being primarily associated with the role. This highlights the challenges of balancing artistic fulfillment with commercial success.

6. Directorial Dreams: Shaping Stories from Behind the Camera

Acting is a way of escaping—but escaping is a wonderful thing.

A Desire for Control: Rickman's diaries reveal a desire to shape stories from behind the camera, highlighting his work as a director of both stage and film productions. These entries offer insights into his creative process, his collaborations with other artists, and his vision for storytelling.

The Winter Guest: The diaries document Rickman's involvement in The Winter Guest, a play and film that he directed and produced. These entries reveal his passion for the project and his commitment to bringing Sharman Macdonald's story to life.

My Name is Rachel Corrie: The diaries also highlight Rickman's involvement in My Name is Rachel Corrie, a controversial play based on the writings of an American activist killed in Gaza. These entries reveal his commitment to telling important stories, even in the face of opposition.

7. A World of Friends: Connections and Collaborations

He is without doubt the most generous spirit I’ve ever encountered.

A Social Butterfly: Rickman's diaries reveal a vibrant social life, filled with dinners, parties, and gatherings with friends and colleagues. These entries offer a glimpse into his relationships with other artists, writers, and performers, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Generosity and Support: The diaries also highlight Rickman's generosity and support for other artists, particularly emerging talents. He often went out of his way to champion their work and provide them with opportunities to showcase their skills.

A Diverse Circle: Rickman's diaries document his interactions with a diverse range of individuals, from Hollywood stars to political figures to everyday people. This demonstrates his ability to connect with people from all backgrounds and his genuine interest in their stories.

8. Battling Illness: Facing Mortality with Grace

All the records the doctors have been making since June have finally led to a diagnosis: I have PC.

A Private Struggle: Rickman's diaries reveal his private battle with cancer, a struggle that he kept largely hidden from the public. These entries offer a raw and honest account of his physical and emotional challenges, as well as his determination to continue living life to the fullest.

Facing Mortality: The diaries also reveal Rickman's reflections on mortality, as he grapples with the reality of his illness and the prospect of his own death. These entries offer a poignant glimpse into his spiritual life and his search for meaning in the face of adversity.

Living in the Moment: Despite his illness, Rickman's diaries demonstrate a commitment to living in the moment, continuing to work, socialize, and enjoy life to the fullest. This serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.

Last updated: April 24, 2025