Dialects in film

[Jonathan Lighter]

Both Kidman and Zellwegger sesounded OK in "Cold Mountain," but maybe I'm too liberal a judge.

JL

Beverly Flanigan <flanigan at OHIOU.EDU> wrote:
---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: Beverly Flanigan
Subject: Re: Dialects in film
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It should be noted that Renee Zellweger (in "Cold Mountain," not whatever
that ditzy English movie and its sequel were called) and Jude Law were
supposed to sound Southern Mountain, while Nicole Kidman was the genteel
Charleston-born lady. So they represent Deep South vs. Mountain, not just
Southern.

And was Brad Pitt supposed to sound Greek or Trojan?! (I never saw the
movie, thankfully!)

At 06:31 PM 2/21/2005, you wrote:
>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 wrote:
>---------------------- Information from the mail header
>-----------------------
>Sender: American Dialect Society
>Poster: Ray Villegas
>Subject: Re: Dialects in film
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing
>peace, abolishing strife." --Kahlil Gibran
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
>Find files on your PC instantly with the new MSN Toolbar Suite beta ­ FREE!
>
>
>---------------------------------
>Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term'


---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
 Yahoo! Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term'