I saw Napoleon last night.

[tavernier]

The war scenes were epic, even to me who usually sleeps through repeated explosions, noise, chaos and such.

However, I was really bothered by Joaquin Phoenix using his regular American accent. One critic said that he sounded like he was from Omaha and I tend to agree. It just stuck out like a sore thumb. I mean we’re talking about Napoleon.

[SalamanderSleeps]

1. I get it, but I don't know if there is a right answer.

If he had tried to employ a French accent he would risk having his character being perceived as a cartoon.

Which is perfectly fine for a product like Hogan's Heroes, but kind of risky if overseas audiences, in particular, don't respond well to an affectated manner of speaking.

[tavernier]

3. They possibly tried it several different ways.

But it reminded me of the time when the talkies took over silent films. The beloved famous actor comes onto the screen and opens his mouth, and suddenly people start to laugh at the noise. I knew the feeling because I giggled when I first heard him speak until I got used to it. He sounded more like Napoleon Dynamite than Napoleon Bonaparte.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. I've wondered about the timing of this production

Does it constitute propaganda to portray autocrats in a favorable light? I know…

[tavernier]

4. Oh, he's not portrayed favorably.

Not at all.

[EYESORE 9001]

8. Good to know

Although MAGAts may not see his portrayal as negative. I’ll have to see it to say for sure.

[RockRaven]

5. Was Phoenix the only one who spoke w/ an American accent?

Or was it random whether various actors did or not?

Or did they have other Corsicans also speaking thusly, to indicate a common accent distinct from other French?

From the Early Life section of Napolean's Wikipedia page:
"Like many Corsicans, Napoleon spoke and read Corsican (as his mother tongue) and Italian (as the official language of Corsica).[33][34][35][32] He began learning French in school at the age of around 10.[36] Although he became fluent in French, he spoke with a distinctive Corsican accent and never learned to spell in French.[37] " (emphasis mine)



Anyways, whenever I am faced with dissatisfying accent work, or lack thereof, in films I think about Kevin Costner's Robin Hood film and am reminded that whatever I just watched could have been worse!

[mahina]

7. Sacha Baron Cohen's blisteringly terrible attempt at a Boston accent as Abbie Hoffman in the trial of the Chicago 7

Ruined the whole otherwise excellent film.

?si=iTsi033BsHkclROL

If he couldnt do it well it’s better he didnt try.

[tavernier]

9. Yes, as I remember he was the only one.

Most of the others had English accents.

I didn’t pay any attention to Costner. My eyes were glued on Alan Rickman. He was the star of that show, along with Morgan Freeman.

[Scrivener7]

6. Never been a fan of Joaquin. I don't think he'd have a

career if his last name wasn't Phoenix.

[bif]

11. That's the reason we're not going to see it.

My wife isn't a big fan of his. I'll probably see it when it's streaming.

[Xavier Breath]

10. Meh, I can't count the number of movies I've seen

populated with WWII-era Nazis speaking with British accents, or supposed Cold War Russian baddies with the same accent. For a truly authentic experience, the actors in this movie should all be speaking in late 18th/early 19th century French with subtitles throughout the picture. And, since we know how most Americans feel about subtitles, that wasn't going to happen.

I can suspend belief regarding speech if the movie is of quality otherwise. I hope to find out next week when a buddy and I go to see it.