I first noticed Tom Hiddleston in the Wallander series, and I thought he was really good. I think because he became popular in movies, he left the series. I have loved him as LOKI. He can certainly twist your emotions with that character from hatred to sympathy to even laughter. He didn’t have a big part in THE WAR HORSE, but he was noticed. He was interesting in THE DEEP BLUE SEA, but I can’t say I liked that movie. I think we are going to see a lot more of this very talented actor.
And now he has been picked to do the Hank Williams story. See below.
Wow, that is an unusual choice, and I suppose some country music fans with bunch their panties over choosing a British star. Still, I think he is talented and has shown he can act in just about any genre. He will have to lose that posh British accent for this role.
He had a tiny bit as F. Scott Fitzgerald in Woody Allen's marvelous Midnight In Paris. I thought he was a standout in a very small role, and I've no doubt that he'll be perfect as Hank Williams. Brits and Aussies have an amazing talent for hiding those thick accents. HOW DO THEY DO IT???
To my recollection, the most amazing example of this is Guy Pearce's performance in L. A. Confidential (1997). I was not familiar with him prior to seeing this film. His "American" accent was perfection. Then I heard him being interviewed…WHAT? He's Australian??? His natural accent was thick as molasses! That cannot be an easy feat to accomplish. Russell Crowe did the same in that film also, although his natural accent isn't as strong as Pearce's.
L.A. Confidential is one of my favorite movies, and like Chris, I was surprised to hear that Guy Pearce was from Australia. He sounded American. Timmer had another good example. When I watched Homeland, I didn't know Damian Lewis was British for a long time. Both countries have actors who are really good with accents.
I was trying to think of some good English accents done by American's and I'm drawing a bit of a blank right now? Renee Zelwegger did pretty well with her middle class English accent in the Brigitte Jones movies.
In the opposite direction I wasn't impressed with Bob Hoskins ( rip ) American accent, particularly in The Cotton Club.
I think we've done worst ever accents, James Cobourn being "Australian" in The Great Escape and Keanu Reeves "English" in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Of course, nothing beats Dick Van Dyke in Gawd Bless Yer Mary Parpins.
Timmer, you bring up a point that I was going to mention. Australian and English actors seem to do a great job with American accents. On the other hand, while I read that the British were fairly happy with Zelwegger's British accent, most of them felt the American actors did a poor job with the various British accents.
Timmer, you bring up a point that I was going to mention. Australian and English actors seem to do a great job with American accents. On the other hand, while I read that the British were fairly happy with Zelwegger's British accent, most of them felt the American actors did a poor job with the various British accents.
It does seem that way? Meryl Streep did a great job in The Iron Lady but that was more "mimickery" due to playing a real life person. I remember Brad Pitt getting a lot of stick for his "Irish" accent in Snatch but he was actually doing a Travellers ( Gypsy ) accent which one expert confirmed was very authentic.
I just want to add that so far I have found Hiddleston a really remarkable actor. I honestly think that we will see him doing Shakespeare in the future. I see him as a younger Kenneth Branagh.
Love the music of Hank Williams. I've listened to him all my life and have everything he's done, even collected bootlegs. I've studied up on his life and been to the places.
There's no denying Tom Hiddleston is a remarkable actor. I'm sure he'll go far and have a long career.
BUT ...
So what? There are many remarkable American actors who can play the part just as well if not better. There are some qualities that can't be played by a foreign actor. Something is always missing. I'm annoyed the part hasn't gone to a local actor. Better to cast an unknown American who is right for Hank than a known Brit.
American actors might as well give up. The best American roles keep going to Brits. Even Batman and Superman, American icons traditionally played by American actors, go to Brits now. I realize the financial necessity for international casting, but the industry has taken it too far.
I just want to add that so far I have found Hiddleston a really remarkable actor. I honestly think that we will see him doing Shakespeare in the future. I see him as a younger Kenneth Branagh.
I'm also a big fan of Tom Hiddleston. I first noticed him in Return to Cranford which I started watching for Judi Dench but he ended up being my favorite person in the movie. Then I watched Wallander because of Kenneth Branagh and realized his young co-worker was the guy I liked so much in Cranford. I've paid attention to his career ever since. He's shown such versatility in his choice of roles that I enjoy watching him, even if the movie isn't a favorite. (I feel the same as you about The Deep Blue Sea.)
Tom is already carrying on in Kenneth's footprints in doing Shakespeare. It sounds like you haven't seen The Hollow Crown films? The four films cover the Henriad tetralogy plays: Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V. Tom plays Prince Hal / Henry V in the 3 Henry plays. Jeremy Irons plays his father in the Henry IV films and watching them act together was a highlight for me. (Richard II is also worth checking out for the tour-de-force performance of Ben Whishaw as Richard II and Patrick Stewart doing the Sceptred Isle speech.)
KMA, I have not seen The Hollow Crown series. I didn't know about it, but now I will check it out. I'm anxious to see Hiddleston as Hal. Thanks for this information.
Richard, I get what you are saying. If I'm honest, I have to say that I never like Hank Williams' music. Just not for me, so I am not sure I would see a biopic of his life regardless of the chosen actor. I just wanted to state that I like Hiddleston as an actor and tied it into his next movie part. I'm really more interested in seeing Hiddleston as Hal in the Crown series.
Timmer: Re your: I remember Brad Pitt getting a lot of stick for his "Irish" accent in Snatch but he was actually doing a Travellers ( Gypsy ) accent which one expert confirmed was very authentic.
There was a lot of criticism of Pitt's accent as a Northern Irish terrorist in "The Devil's Own," but after watching it, I felt that much of the criticism stemmed from the studio's choice of clips for the trailers -- they pulled out Pitt's absolute worst accent moment, which shone a big spotlight on it and probably added much of the fuel to the criticism of his accent. That movie wasn't perfect, but I had no problem with him in it.
To my recollection, the most amazing example of this is Guy Pearce's performance in L. A. Confidential (1997). I was not familiar with him prior to seeing this film. His "American" accent was perfection. Then I heard him being interviewed…WHAT? He's Australian??? His natural accent was thick as molasses! That cannot be an easy feat to accomplish. Russell Crowe did the same in that film also, although his natural accent isn't as strong as Pearce's.
I think Aussie Toni Collette's turn as the harried Philadelphia-accented mother of "I see dead people" in THE SIXTH SENSE was equally impressive as an example of superlative accent-suppression by Australian actors. As re L. A. Confidential, let us not forget a fine performance from another Australian, Simon Baker of current fame in "The Mentalist" on TV in the U. S. Hugh Jackman ain't no slouch either! The acting talent from Australia is just outstanding, no two ways about it.
