Always My King, or The Day After Alice

Going to watch a movie because of a cameo. Sounds rather funny and light-heartened, doesn’t it? It was my approach when I decided to watch Alice Through the Looking Glass. Because of ReAsons, of course.

It has been so long since I went to the cinema because of Richard – more than a year when I went to see The Crucible. So when I booked my ticket, I finally felt the tingle of anticipation once more. And I was definitely not disappointed!

When Alice arrived in the past and went into the castle, I knew what would come – thanks to all twitter users who have shared their knowledge and helped in preparing me 🙂 First thing I did: covering my mouth with my hand. There were people sitting right next to me, and I didn’t want to squeak right into their ears. I just love kingly Richard. I fell for him as Thorin Oakenshield, so seeing him all and officially regal is a beautiful experience.

But one problem with Richard appearing in full-screen IMAX is quite overwhelming. What to focus on? Trying the over-all sight? Composure? Face? And if face: Eyes? Lips?? Fore head wrinkles??? Too many choices for overchallenged senses.

I didn’t actually make my choice, it was made for me instead: I could not take my eyes of King Oleron’s composure. It just hit me. It starts so simple: He’s sitting on his throne, overlooking the proceedings. But when the unrest starts, he moves, leans a bit forwards in his chair, and you can sense both the slight anger about the disturbance as well as a hint of fear how Iracebeth will react. And then he stands up, but he doesn’t lose his regal composure for a second … *sighs happily*

But if we are honest, it’s a rather cruel scene: After all, he’s chiding his own daughter in front of the public, even declaring his younger daughter as successor without any premonition. (How Iracebeth may or may not have behaved in the past, doesn’t matter in that point.) But Richard amazes once more, using his warm, wonderful, subtle (I could continue, but I think you can imagine other appropriate descriptions!) voice. I loved his voice in this scene so much. You can HEAR that he is grieved, but he has to do it. There’s this wavering in his voice that tells you how he feels. Father and king. Softness under steel, if you want to put it that way.

That’s why I also liked the second scene with King Oleron. I mean, his daughter quarrels with her sister, runs out of the castle, and he is already on her heels? Carrying her back to the castle? Regal protective daddy. Mmmh. I only missed the “arms around my neck” – what a pity! I’d love to hear his voice when he says that …

One of my first thoughts after leaving the cinema was: He should play kings more often! But let’s be honest: Richard is always kingly. In all his roles (or almost? You could argue about that …) he has this security, this smoothness in his movements that makes him regally. Just a few examples (with pictures, of course – I can’t name the boys without showing them, right?):

1.) Thorin Oakenshield. Very very obvious. I mean, Thorin is THE definition of majestic.

2.) Guy of Gisborne. Noble, but impoverished. When you see him moving around Nottingham, would you think that he’s lost his property? Never.

3.) John Thornton. A master in title, but moving around his factory as if it was his kingdom. And let’s be honest: It is.

4.) Heinz Kruger. A smaller role, but the same. Remember his look, his expression. That man believes in his mission and his people. To him, they are rulers.

5.) Lucas North. So many years in Russian prison, and still sassy enough to ask for fish and chips as one of the first things after his return. And he’s back in business at once, not doubting his abilities for a second.

So, how to sum up? I guess I just like my RA crowned (and bearded as well, by the way!). But even without robes and crown, Richard is always regally and adorable – always my king 🙂