Movie Accent Expert Breaks Down 28 More Actors' Accents | WIRED

Summary

The video script offers an engaging exploration of various accents as portrayed by actors in films, analyzing their nuances and authenticity. Highlights include critiques of Dick Van Dyke's Cockney accent and Letitia Wright's portrayal in Black Panther, emphasizing its South African influences. Tom Holland's Spider-Man accent is examined, along with the expressive qualities of Southern Irish accents showcased by actors like Ruth Negga and Gerard Butler. Daniel Day-Lewis's Belfast accent and Christopher Lambert's Scottish pronunciation are praised for their authenticity. Ultimately, the script underscores the complexity of speech and the importance of striving for improvement in accent work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dick Van Dyke's Cockney accent, while iconic, could have been improved by emphasizing the unique features of his jaw and facial structure.
• 😀 Letitia Wright's accent in 'Black Panther' incorporates isiXhosa elements, showcasing a blend of African languages in her character's portrayal.
• 😀 Tom Holland’s American accent in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' reflects a modern pronunciation trend among younger Americans, particularly in vowel sounds.
• 😀 The expressive nature of Southern Irish accents is highlighted, with specific characteristics affecting pitch and emotional delivery.
• 😀 Gerard Butler humorously apologized for misrepresenting the Irish accent, illustrating the challenges of accurate accent portrayal.
• 😀 Daniel Day-Lewis's portrayal of a Belfast accent is noted as one of the best, particularly for its authentic diphthong sounds.
• 😀 The distinction between American English and Belfast English accents is emphasized through different mouth and tongue positions for vowel sounds.
• 😀 Christopher Lambert's accent in 'Highlander' demonstrates that not all Scottish sounds require strict adherence to traditional Scottish inflection.
• 😀 The speaker stresses that accent work is a complex aspect of acting, integral to character authenticity and communication.
• 😀 The overall message is that improving accent accuracy is important, and actors can always strive for better performance.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video analyzes the authenticity of various accents portrayed by actors in films and television, discussing their effectiveness and potential areas for improvement.

How does the speaker evaluate Dick Van Dyke's Cockney accent?

The speaker critiques Van Dyke's Cockney accent, suggesting that his prominent jaw could have been used to achieve a more authentic London accent.

What accent is Letitia Wright's character said to represent in *Black Panther*?

Letitia Wright's character is noted for representing a Wakandan accent, which is influenced by the South African language isiXhosa.

What specific vowel sound does Tom Holland use in *Spider-Man: Homecoming*?

Tom Holland uses a vowel sound in his American accent that differs from the typical pronunciation taught to non-Americans, particularly in the endings of words like 'joking.'

What aspect of the Southern Irish accent does the speaker highlight?

The speaker emphasizes the expressive pitch contour of Southern Irish accents, noting that they often have a very high fall.

What criticism does the speaker offer regarding Gerard Butler's Irish accent?

The speaker critiques Gerard Butler's portrayal of an Irish accent in *PS I Love You*, referencing Butler's own apology for misrepresenting it.

Why is Daniel Day-Lewis’s accent in *The Name of the Father* considered notable?

Daniel Day-Lewis's Belfast accent is highlighted as one of the best movie accents, particularly for its unique mouth diphthong in the word 'house.'

What does the speaker say about the Scottish accent as portrayed by Christopher Lambert?

The speaker discusses Christopher Lambert's Scottish accent, pointing out the peculiarities of pronouncing the word 'immortal' and the lack of necessity for heavy accent work.

What conclusion does the speaker draw about speech and accents?

The speaker concludes that speech is incredibly complex and emphasizes the importance of striving for authenticity and improvement in accent portrayal.

How does the speaker suggest improving accent accuracy for actors?

The speaker suggests that actors should focus on specific vowel sounds and pitch contours unique to the accent they are portraying to enhance authenticity.