Alan Rickman— reputed for his unique, deep, languid voice — is undoubtedly one of the greatest British actors ever. Active in the cinema, television, and theater spaces, the actor received numerous accolades throughout his career, including a BAFTA Award, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and two Tony Awards.
11‘Gambit’ (2012)
InGambit, Harry Deane (Colin Firth), a British art curator, has grown tired of the yelling from his condescending billionaire boss, Lionel Shabandar (Alan Rickman). To hit back at him,he devises a scheme to trick him into buying a fake Monet painting. He gets the perfect team for the job, but things don’t go according to plan.
Hardly as Good as the Original
If you wish to see agood movie about horrible bossesfrom the early 2010s, watchHorrible Bosses, notGambit. And for a better movie where Colin Firth wears a tuxedo, tryKingsman. Most importantly, for a better version of the same story, watch the 1996 Oscar-nominated film by Ronald Neame. The biggest shocker is that the screenplay was written by the Coen Brothers. Here,none of the jokes land, and the heist elements are hardly innovative.
10‘Blow Dry’ (2001)
Blow Dryintroduces us to Phil Allen (Alan Rickman), a retired hairstylist from the tiny Yorkshire town of Keighley. He isliving life peacefully with his son until his estranged wife shows up with her new lover.And she is about to drop another major bombshell. How will the two former lovebirds cope?
Powerful, but Misplaced
Rom-coms need to be equally romantic and funny, butBlow Dryleans more towards the former than the latter. Rickman is good, and the movie does well by tackling heavy topics like terminal illness, LGBTQ relationships, perseverance, and good parenting, but it doesn’t have enough to excite genre fans. The director could have achieved better results by molding it as a somber drama.
9’Nobel Son' (2007)
Nobel Sonfollows Eli (Alan Rickman), a self-centered professor whose life goes very well despite his meanness. He soon learns that he will be awarded a Nobel Prize. However, luck abandons him,starting with the kidnapping of his son.The men want $2 million to release him (sounds very Gruber-like). The question is: will he give it to them?
Has a few Redeeming Qualities
The filmheavily relies on mean jokes, a sensible approach for a dark comedy film, but everything feels off because none of the characters seem naturally funny. Worse, the humor doesn’t always align with the proceedings, leaving audiences confused. On a positive note, the plot flows smoothly, and the arguments between Eli and his wife will keep you glued to your screen.
Stream it on Starz
Netflix’s Top 10 Funniest Original Comedy Films So Far
One of the genres in which Netflix has impressed the most is comedy. Here are its funniest movies so far.
8‘The January Man’ (1989)
The January Man
The ‘80s were full ofDirty Harryimitations, andThe January Manis but one of them, with a slice of comedy. In it, an ex-NYPD detective islured back into his old job by his brother (a police commissioner) when a serial killer begins terrorizing the city.While investigating, he finds an unlikely aid in the form of his artist neighbor, Ed (Alan Rickman).
Veering to the Wrong Path
Alan Rickman plays the artist to perfection, while Kevin Kline’s lawman character is devilishly suave and ferociously masculine. Unfortunately, the movie never quite knows what it wants to be. Despite teasing a cat-and-mouse saga,more time is spent on the romance between the protagonist and the mayor’s daughter.We get a few humorous moments while at it, but that’s all there is. Could have been better.
7‘Bottle Shock’ (2008)
Bottle Shockis based onthe 1976 wine competition named the “Judgment of Paris,” when California wine competed against French wine in a blind taste test.Alan Rickman plays Steven Spurrier, a Paris-based wine expert and the event’s organizer, who travels to California in search of a specific kind of wine.
Much to Admire but Little to Laugh About
An astute look at Bohemian culture wrapped up in a comedy,Bottle Shockis a film you can easily enjoy… but only if you focus on great visuals and great acting. Chris Pine offers a tender, funny performance as a younger version of the Château Montelena CEO, Bo Barret, while Rickman remains eccentric. Unfortunately, the comedy fails on just about every level. Theslapstick moments are avoidable and the wealth-inspired jokes are over-explained.
Stream it on Prime Video
6‘Dogma’ (1999)
Dogmafollows two expelled angels eager to return to Heaven. To do that,they attempt to find a loophole in Catholic dogma.Their success will destroy the principle that God is infallible, so the seraph Metatron (Alan Rickman) sends two prophets and the last scion to stop them. Will they succeed?
Mining Humor from the Scriptures
The film triggered a backlash from the Catholic Church, but it is extremely enjoyable. It warmly mocks theology, withreligious satire that is more respectful than sections of the press might have had you believe. Additionally, it features plenty of clever running gags. And with the fabulous ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Salma Hayek, little goes wrong performance-wise. Rickman is incredible too, so much so that he won a Satellite Award for his performance.
5‘Snow Cake’ (2006)
Snow Cakebegins with the ex-con Alex Hughes (Alan Rickman) traveling through Canada. Feeling kind, he picks up a young female hitchhiker only for the pair to get involved in an accident that kills her. Alexproceeds to her home to inform his mother about the unfortunate proceedings, and while there, he begins a relationship with a neighbor.
Blending Laughs with Misfortunes
Filmed in bright arctic tones, the romantic comedy traces Alex’s subtle shift from blind malice to conscience, prompted by unfortunate circumstances. Today, itremains a powerful, affecting film about a simple issue: how far people are willing to go to make things right.Alex is played with consummate skill by Rickman. Andthe jokes hit you when you least expect them.
4‘Love Actually’ (2003)
Love Actually
Love Actuallyexamines the complicated aspects of love as seen via 10 separate tales involving various individuals, many of whom are revealed to be interlinked as the events unfold. In one of the stories, Harry (Alan Rickman),a married managing director of a design agency, falls for his secretary, Mia.
No Dull Story
Nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy,the film offers a clever, clear-eyed, assessment of relationships. The tense, fast-moving screenplay smacks of everyday authenticity, and the humor is triggered by ordinary questions such as “Where were you?” Then someone gives the most outrageous answer. Rickman doesn’t necessarily get much time to shine, but you are likely to be content with what you see. Definitelya must-see Christmas movie.
3‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ (2005)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
InThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) is trying to stop a bulldozer from tearing down his house when his friend, Ford Prefect (Mos Def), suddenly takes him into outer space. Ford, it turns out, isan alien, and has just saved Arthur from Armageddon.Arthur thus goes on plenty of fun adventures around the galaxy, where he meets several interesting characters, including a clinically depressed android voiced by Alan Rickman.
A Plethora of Fun Characters
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxywas a fresh and impressive directing debut for Garth Jennings, whose only other screen experience involved playing a zombie inShaun of the Dead.Targeting both the selfishness of humans and the personal fears that limit us, the sci-fi comedy is a fun, uplifting story about the joys of self-realization.The humor remains sharp throughout the 109-minute running time, and one doesn’t have to be attentive to notice it.
The Best Sci-Fi Comedies, Ranked
The genres of comedy and science fiction have blended for decades. Which sci-fi comedy reigns supreme?!
2‘The Search for John Gissing’ (2001)
The Search for John Gissing
The Search for John Gissingisall about office politics. A fast-rising young executive is sent to London to oversee a merger and replace a key employee named John Gissing (Alan Rickman). Understandably, Gissing isn’t happy, sohe does everything he can to make his replacement’s life miserable.
Leaving with a Fight
The film succeeds admirably, mainly due to Rickman’s annoying, yet hilarious touching performance. Though tame by today’s comedy standards,the jokes still fly as they are direct enough to appeal to everyone, including those uninterested in corporate machinations. Recognized in the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival,The Search for John Gissingwill leave you smiling long after the credits roll.
