MovieChat Forums > Passed Away (1992) Discussion > Why is the son (Bob Hoskins) English? Fa...

Why is the son (Bob Hoskins) English? Family is American!

posted 17 years ago by paint31
8 replies | jump to latest

I know Bob Hoskins is an English actor. I like him a lot, but I don't understand why they cast him as the elder brother. He didn't even try to modify his British accent (He did in Roger Rabbit!!) Everyone in the family was so American it just made me wonder What Were They Thinking?

I loved the movie though, and thought it was very funny. I love the scene in the limo at the funeral when Maureen Stapleton suddenly asks "If he didn't shoot the deputy, who did?" (Referring to the song "I Shot The Sheriff" which has absolutely NOTHING to do with the film!)

[–] storyteller1957 17 years ago

Well they were NEW England, right? I thought Bob Hoskins was entertaining and had the accent thought and let it go.

Yes, little things like that line in the limo that seem to come from nowhere keep the viewer a bit more off balance and add depth. But you know what, just as I write this I recall that there was a reference to Grandma listening to reggae.

[–] saartchick 17 years ago

The line from Maureen Stapleton about "I Shot The Sherriff" is relevent. When Johnny was talking to I think Frankie, he said our mother is afraid of electric appliances but listens to Reggae, Bob Marley and the Wailers. So that's why she posed that question. You would be surprise what comes out of someones mouth when in a limo going to the deceased's grave site.

[–] Marinas1212 16 years ago

This post is a year and a half old and it's been forever since I've seen this wonderful movie, just that I loved it when I saw it and it came up in conversation the other day. Now I've GOT to find it...

You were discussing Bob Hoskins' decision to keep his British accent despite the family being from New England. Didn't Tim Curry keep his accent, too? Or was he supposed to be British, marrying into the family?

Why wish for the moon when we can have the stars?

[–] buxtehude99 12 years ago

I'm watching this movie, and I don't think Bob Hoskins' speech is particularly British. It's not overly American, but kind of flattened out.

[–] Princess2005848 12 years ago

I agree, I didn't really notice his British accent in this film, as for Tim Curry' I believe he was supposed to be British

Why must close-minded people always open their mouths?

[–] nicole_tubbs 10 years ago

Bob Hoskins sounded American to me in the movie, but that is just me. Not sure if Tim Curry's character was supposed to be British in the film, but it's a possibility. They're both great actors.

[–] hodie 11 years ago

He played an American with an American accent. Funny how acting works.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] realndn06 10 years ago

Bob Hoskins has just died of pneumonia at age 71 (6 months before his 72nd birthday) on April 29, 2014. He will be truly remembered and missed.