Harry Potter: Anti-American clarification

susanbones2003 rdas at facstaff.wisc.edu
Thu Dec 8 02:09:58 UTC 2005


--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, "cubfanbudwoman" 
<susiequsie23 at s...> wrote:
>
> SSSusan:
> > > Saddest part for me, a *huge* Rickman fan, is that when he 
tries 
> > > to do an American accent, he tends to lose some of that 
> > > wonderful plumminess in his voice.  (Think the "DON'T lie... 
to 
> > > me" line from the potions storage cupboard in GoF. :-))
> 
> JenD:
> > I have wondered, if you SSusan know, just what kind of accent is 
> > Alan Rickman doing for Snape? Is it just a middle of the road 
> > British accent, an "acting British" accent (the plumminess comes 
> > to mind) or something else? I have seen him in other British 
> > things and I love the accents he's used in them(the film where 
he 
> > was the hairdresser comes to mind, but alas the name of said 
film 
> > does not) . He seems very comfortable switching British accents. 
I 
> > feel very sorry for most actors who have to take on a Southern 
> > American accent. It's the easiest to caricature and therefore 
the 
> > easiest to mangle. 
> > JenD, speaking to herself in her own genuine Southern accent...
> 
> 
> SSSusan:
> I'm afraid, as a Yank, I know *nothing* about different British 
> accents, so I can't speak to what Rickman's "doing" in Snape.  (In 
> fact, I thought he was just doing his natural voice!)  There are 
> some folks on OTC who've talked about this kind of thing before, 
but 
> I know nothing. :-|
> 
> I *do* know, however, the name of the film you're thinking of:  
Blow 
> Dry.  I love that movie, and his role of Phil Allen.
> 
> Siriusly Snapey Susan

SSSusan (determined this time to get all the "S"s in!)
I believe that film (Blow Dry) was set up north, in Yorkshire. I 
really appreciate when a film in set in England or the UK has 
identifiable accents. I know Brits do too (there was a previous post 
that mentioned how important the correct accent is to Briish film 
goers). I think it's not as important in America and to Americans.
 
But back to Mr. Rickman, his Snape seems almost Shakespearean. Is 
that the correct word? Very classical if a little over the top, for 
effect. Pity he didn't have more to do this film. Sort of makes you 
look forward to Occlumency lessons, next film.
JenD

>








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