Dialects in film

[Jonathan Lighter]

Have been informed that at least some Brits think Renee's English accent was so bad "it almost ruined the movie" !  Who knows ?

Colin Ferrell's American accent in "Tigerland" was absolutely credible to me.  Don't know how he does with Ancient Macedonian, though.

JL

Ray Villegas <rayrocky7 at HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
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Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: Ray Villegas
Subject: Re: Dialects in film
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Colin Ferral, from Dublin, Ireland, does a great job in "Phone Booth." He does a New York City accent. In some of Colin's movies he goes in and out of his Irish accent but for the most part he stays in character.


Brad Pitt didn't have a full accent in Troy but it was one that "colored" his lines. It was enough to fool people that wouldn't be accostumed to hearing a lot of accents.


Also Brad Pitt in "Snatch" immitates an Irish Pikey Accent. He does a good job in speaking quickly and making you feel confused. It almost sounds a little forced but he carries it enough to get through the part.


Billy Elliot has English, Irish, and Scottish actors that do North East England Accent. This is a fun movie to hear different ways of using the words "like" and "then" and other socialinguistic words.


"MatchMaker" is fun to watch to hear the Southern Ireland Accent. Most of the actors are from Ireland.


In "Gangs of New York" Leonardo DeCarpio goes in and out of the Irish accent. It was the worst performance of an accent that I've heard in awhile. His collegues Henry Thomas (played the boy in ET) and Daniel Day Lewis were superb in their accents. Daniel Day Lewis is from Ireland and did an 1800 New York City Accent and Henry Thomas did an Irish accent.


Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Rene Zellweger are very believable in a lot of movies they do. All three were in Cold Mountain and were able to come across quite Southern. You don't realize how strong of an Australian accent Nicole has until you hear her in an interview.


I have tons more but I am drawing a blank. I hope this helps.


Ray Villegas
Arizona State University






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