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From a movie review . . .


 Posted by Mary Anne on June 06, 1998 at 10:24:20:


In response to Villoughby Brandon and 1800 century society, written by tove  eva on June 06, 1998 at 02:05:29


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 ] The movie captures the devious nature of Villoughby when he hides the flowers on his back when meeting Brandon and Sir John. This is not a suitor who openly will present his intentions. He prefers to work undercover in a direct, effective but legally non-comitting manner. 
 

 Very good description indeed--the scene you mention is one of my favourite bits, that uneasiness that Willoughby communicates when he meets Brandon at the cottage. That nervous hesitation . . . good acting from Greg Wise.
I remember reading Roger Ebert's review of S&S, and he sums up some of the very same ideas. Ebert speaks of his enjoyment of Rickman's performance, but one phrase that has really stayed with me is Ebert's description of how Rickman, as Brandon, "manages to communicate almost by osmosis that he knows something unspeakable about his rival." Brrrrr! Captures it perfectly. 
Ebert also spoke of the brilliant idea of casting Rickman in this part because he had been so well-known for playing villains, and that prior reputation casts an intriguing shadow over his performance as Brandon, who is all that is decent, honourable, and worthy. Ebert's description of him runs something like "that indispensable villain Alan Rickman . . . with the speech patterns of a sentimental hangman . . ."   Some people have been offended by this description, but I found it amusing.  8-) 





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